Photo of Mayor Ritchie from Daily Press Obituaries.
On Aug. 20, Mayor Phillip Jones posted on social media the news of former Mayor Joseph C. Ritchie’s death on Aug. 17. Ritchie was the first Republican elected to the Newport News City Council and the first Republican mayor of the city, having served 10 years from July of 1976 to June of 1986.
His obituary highlights his involvement in numerous development projects and as a prime initiator of City Center at Oyster Point. Early this year, Ritchie was among five former mayors who were honored at the State of the City address in February. In his memory, all City flags were lowered to half-staff from Aug. 20 to Aug. 27. Ritchie was 95 years old.
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