Daniel McGinley

Dan McGinley, former mayor of the City of Alexandria, died August 9, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Hospital Hospice. He was age 71.

McGinley served on Alexandria City Council for seven years before being sworn in as mayor in 1999. During his 12 years as mayor, the City increased its cash reserves from $175,000 to more than $1 million; generated $4 million in grant money; and purchased its city building and its Calvin A. Perry Community Center.

The son of Lee and Ruth McGinley, he grew up in Prairie du Chien, Wisc. He worked his way through Campion Jesuit High School, a prestigious boys boarding school. To pay for tuition, he worked at the school during the academic year. He spent his summers working in Minneapolis, where he lived with his eldest brother, Leo, and his family. He graduated from Campion as a National Merit Scholar.

McGinley attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. At age 19, he moved to Chicago where he eventually landed in a job at Dr. Scholl’s Shoe Company in the mailroom. He advanced within the company, which moved him to Cincinnati. Shortly thereafter, he became general manager of Dr. Scholl’s factory in Falmouth, Ky. There he met his wife, Nancy (Gosney) McGinley, of 42 years.

In recent years, McGinley enjoyed his part-time job at Great American Ballpark where he gave tours. Even when sporting a Cincinnati Reds shirt, he remained a diehard Chicago Cubs fan.

Quick with one-liners, McGinley loved retelling his father’s jokes and outlandish tall tales. Even during his illness, he kept his family and caregivers laughing.

Being a father meant the world to him. He visited Ireland with his daughter, Lee Rose, where they celebrated her 30^th birthday. Several years later, he and his son, Joe, traveled to Ireland for a McGinley family reunion.

A longtime parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption in Alexandria, he served as a Liturgical minister. Throughout his life, he volunteered for many organizations, including chambers of commerce, Junior Achievement and the Kiwanis Club.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by his daughter, Lee (Jeff) Rose of Alexandria; son, Joe of Lexington; grandson, Jake of Alexandria; sister Pat (Gary) White of Prairie du Chien, Wisc.; sister-in-law, Judy McGinley of Dodgeville, Wisc.; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews; and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leo and Paul; sisters Dorothy Starr and Ruth Roellich; and niece Becky McGinley.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12, at St. Mary of the Assumption, 8246 East Main Street in Alexandria, from 3 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 7 p.m. Memorials are requested to St. Mary of the Assumption or to Bishop Brossart High School.