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Gerald W. “Gerry” Hyland, who represented Fairfax County’s Mount Vernon District for seven terms and remained a forceful community advocate after leaving office, has died at 88.

Hyland served on the Board of Supervisors from 1988 through 2015, building a reputation for helping constituents, pursuing practical improvements and revitalizing the Richmond Highway corridor. His aggressive attention to road repairs earned him the nickname “Mr. Pothole.”

His successor, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, called Hyland a community pillar, mentor and patriot who was known for his sharp legal mind, prolific puns and willingness to listen. Storck invited residents to honor him at the 38th Annual Mount Vernon Town Meeting on Feb. 8, continuing a tradition Hyland established.

Hyland was elected in November 1987 after campaigning on continued redevelopment along Route 1. Early coverage portrayed him as someone who knew how to accomplish things, recalling a charity fundraiser in which he had himself put in jail and refused to leave until he raised $10,000.

During his decades in office, Hyland pushed to expand Mount Vernon Hospital rather than close it. He launched a farmers market in Lorton, advocated for increased police patrols along Richmond Highway and helped create one of Fairfax County’s first dog parks.

He also supported wider trail networks, helped establish a park and golf course in Lorton and backed the community’s successful effort to close the Lorton Landfill.

His regional and statewide service extended well beyond the Board of Supervisors. Hyland chaired Virginia Railway Express and served as president of the Virginia Association of Counties. He also held positions with transportation, transit, environmental, air-quality and regional planning organizations, including the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

When Hyland announced his retirement in early 2015, Fairfax County Democratic Committee Chair Sue Langley said his tireless commitment to Mount Vernon residents would be difficult to replace.

Hyland later acknowledged how much the role meant to him. At the September 2019 dedication of the Gerry W. Hyland Building, previously known as the South County Government Center, he told those gathered that he missed serving as supervisor, calling it the best job he ever had.

Retirement did not end his involvement. In December 2021, Hyland wrote to special masters working for the Supreme Court of Virginia to challenge a proposed redistricting map affecting the area he had represented for 28 years.

He argued for separate House of Delegates seats for the Mount Vernon and Lee communities, which the court’s memorandum called Franconia, saying that arrangement would better reflect the communities that existed. He supported his case with five maps and signed the letter as the retired Mount Vernon District supervisor.

Hyland was born and raised in Holden, Massachusetts. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, earned a law degree from Georgetown University in 1962 and later received a master’s degree in taxation from George Washington University. He served as a colonel in the Air Force Reserve and was a former president of United Community Ministries.

His daughter, Christiane Gigi Hyland, captured his approach to public service in an essay written shortly after his retirement announcement. She described helping people as his central purpose, noting that he willingly stepped into difficult, frustrating and complicated problems whenever someone needed assistance.

Tributes from across Fairfax County echoed that assessment.

Rep. Gerry Connolly remembered Hyland as a friend, a stalwart advocate and a consequential public servant. Del. Paul Krizek called him the quintessential public servant as well as a political mentor and personal friend.

Community advocate Lisa “ERA” Sales said Hyland had been like family and thanked him for championing her and others. Storck urged residents to honor Hyland’s example by finding their own ways to serve people.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said Hyland devoted decades to improving residents’ lives, particularly by supporting vulnerable people, protecting historic properties and promoting Richmond Highway’s revitalization. McKay said Hyland led with his heart and left accomplishments visible throughout Mount Vernon.

For Hyland’s daughter, his legacy was embodied by a principle he lived throughout his career: Do whatever good and show whatever kindness you can now, without deferring the opportunity to help.