Vienna Mourns the Passing of John F. Gionfriddo

The Town of Vienna is deeply saddened by the passing of former Town Attorney John F. Gionfriddo on Monday, May 25, 2015.

“The people of Vienna greatly appreciate Town Attorney Gionfriddo’s 36 years of long-time service. His service helped to shape the small Town image of Vienna that we know today, “ said Mayor Laurie DiRocco.

Gionfriddo, a graduate of Georgetown University School of Law, became Town Attorney in 1966, he later retired in 2002. He had previously served as Chairman of Vienna’s Board of Zoning Appeals and as Associate Judge of the Municipal Court of Vienna. In 1983, he became a Fellow of the American College ofTrial Lawyers, an honor limited to only one percent of the attorneys in each state. He is also listed in “Best Lawyers in America.”, which is highly regarded.

“John ably served the Town as the Town Attorney for 36 years. His length of service is a testament to the sage and sound legal advice he provided to the Town. I will miss his friendship, counsel and advice,” saidTown Attorney Steven Briglia.

Gionfriddo drafted several significant policies for the Town and wrote a blighted property statute that gave the Town the ability to clean up run-down and abandoned properties. The statute passed through the Virginia General Assembly, and was picked up by several other municipalities.

Gionfriddo was described as a kind, humble person who was reluctant to speak of his many accomplishments. “I was always very proud of being a lawyer, it’s an honored profession. I helped people. I loved law,” said Gionfriddo during a 2002 interview with Connection Newspapers.

Visiting hours with the family have been set for Sunday, May 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 West Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA 22180. A Mass service will be held on Monday, June 1, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182. A burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.