2026 SESSION

ENROLLED

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 86

Celebrating the life of Thomas Blue.

Agreed to by the Senate, February 12, 2026

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 16, 2026

WHEREAS, Thomas Blue, an esteemed civil engineer and land surveyor, accomplished businessman, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and beloved member of the Albemarle County community, died on July 13, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Blue was a lifelong resident of Albemarle County and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1957; he would often jokingly remark that he was willing to leave Albemarle County only if he knew he could return before sunset; and

WHEREAS, after only a year at the engineering services company Stone & Webster, Thomas Blue established his own land surveying business, which he successfully owned and operated until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Blue guided the responsible growth and development of Albemarle County as a member of the Albemarle County School Board and the Albemarle County Planning Commission, on which he served as chair; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Blue was an active volunteer for the Democratic Party who worked tirelessly to register people to vote and who often manned the polls at the Free Bridge Precinct on election day alongside his wife, Josephine; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Blue's passions in life included farming and whitewater canoeing, and he was happiest of all when spending quality time with family and loved ones; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Josephine, and his daughter, Elizabeth, Thomas Blue will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his children, Tom and Bob, and their families; and by numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Thomas Blue, cherished member of the Albemarle County community whose legacy of service, integrity, and compassion is an inspiration to all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Thomas Blue as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.