Kerry Donley, left, in a photo from his 2015 political campaign.
Former Mayor and Living Legend of Alexandria Kerry J. Donley passed away Wednesday evening. He was 66 years old and his passing was unexpected.
“Kerry was a transformational mayor of our City,” stated Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. “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. Our City has lost a great leader.”
Donley was elected to the Alexandria City Council in 1988 and served as Mayor from 1996 to 2003. He also served as Vice Mayor from 1994 to 1996 and again frm 2009 to 2012.
Donley had a huge impact on Alexandria, leading the resolution for the reconstruction of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, attracting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to the City and working to save 500 market-rate affordable housing units. He threw his hat in the ring for mayor again in 2015, but lost in a three-way primary.
In addition, he served on several non-profit boards, including those of The Carpenter’s Shelter, the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, the Center for Alexandria’s Children, Alexandria Senior Services and Alexandria Renew Enterprises.
In 2017, Donley was recognized as a Living Legend of Alexandria. In his lifetime, he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) by Volunteer Alexandria, the Carpenter’s Shelter Wall of Honor (2015), served as the Grand Marshall for the Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade (2016) and was named Business Leader of the Year by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce (2004). In 2002, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments bestowed Donley with the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award.
Former Mayor Kerry J. Donley is survived by his wife, Eva, and their five daughters and five grandchildren (with an additional grandchild arriving soon). Funeral Arrangements are pending at this time.
