Nancy Pelosi Brother Thomas D'Alesandro Dies, Was Baltimore Mayor

BALTIMORE, MD — Thomas D'Alesandro III, who led Baltimore as mayor during the 1960s and was the brother of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, died Sunday. He was 90.

D'Alesandro and his sister were born into the world of politics. Their father, Thomas Jr., had also been mayor of Baltimore, as well as a member of the House of Representatives.

Pelosi says that their father's public service had a large effect on her brother.

"He profoundly believed, as did our parents, that public service was a noble calling and that we all had a responsibility to help others," Pelosi said in a statement. "My husband Paul and our entire family are devastated by the loss of our patriarch, my beloved brother."

The Baltimore Sun reports that D'Alesandro died of complications of a stroke at his home in North Baltimore. He served as mayor from 1967 to 1971.

Current Baltimore Mayor Jack Young cited D'Alesandro's leadership during those years in mourning his predecessor.

"He guided the city at a tumultuous times and made important strides while in office like creating summer recreation programs for youth, (and) removing racial barriers in employment and education," Young said in a statement.

Gov. Larry Hogan also looked back at that period in remembering D'Alesandro, saying that he will "long be remembered for his leadership in divisive times, and for his efforts to root out discrimination and rebuild the city he loved."

D'Alesandro is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children Thomas, Dominic, Nicholas, Patricia and Gregory, and his grandchildren.

D'Alesandro's death is a second blow to the city this week. U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the long-serving congressman from Baltimore, also died.