Former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley, 66, Dies

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley, a longtime Alexandria resident heavily involved in the community, died Wednesday evening at age 66.

Donley was first elected to Alexandria City Council in 1988 and was mayor from 1996 to 2003 as well as vice mayor from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2009 to 2012. He has also served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia and was most recently a senior vice president at John Marshall Bank.

"Kerry was a transformational mayor of our City," said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson in a statement. "So much of the progressive and dynamic City we enjoy today has its roots in Kerry’s leadership and persistence. He was a friend and someone I valued for advice on many occasions."

During his time as mayor and a City Council member, Donley is credited with helping the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office locate in the city, saving 500 market-rate affordable housing units, leading a resolution to reconstruct the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and helping create Samuel Tucker School, Alexandria's first new elementary school in 35 years. Donley also led the city through the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and the economic aftermath.

Donley and his family have lived in Alexandria for nearly 60 years, and he was named an Alexandria Living Legend in 2017 for his contributions to Alexandria. Some of his community positions have been athletic director at T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership board, Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria board, Alexandria Senior Services board, Alexandria Renew Enterprises board, Center for Alexandria’s Children board, Carpenter’s Shelter's board, Alexandria United Way and Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy board.

According to Alexandria Living Legends, some of his awards have included Alexandria Chamber of Commerce's Business Leader of the Year in 2004, Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal in 2006, Carpenter’s Shelter Wall of Honor in 2015 and the Volunteer Alexandria Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2016.

In 2015, Donley ran again for mayor against incumbent Mayor Bill Euille and Allison Silberberg. Silberberg went on to win the primary and general election.

The day of Donley's death, he had been doing Meals on Wheels deliveries and attending a Center for Alexandria’s Children board meeting, the Washington Post reported.

Donley is survived by his wife, Eva, their five daughters and five grandchildren (soon to be six). Funeral arrangements are pending, according to the city government.