Johnny Joannou
Portsmouth, Va. – Former Virginia House of Delegates member and former Virginia Senator Johnny Joannou died Friday morning at the age of 76, his family confirmed to NewsChannel 3.
Joannou, a lawyer, was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1976 – 1983, the Virginia Senate from 1984-1991, and the House again from 1998-2016.
Joannou lost the 79th House District (which includes Portsmouth and parts of Norfolk) in 2015.
He was raised in Portsmouth and attended Woodrow Wilson High School, Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond.
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim released a statement about Senator Joannou’s passing:
The passing of former Senator and Delegate Johnny Joannou is a sad moment for the city and citizens of Norfolk. Johnny was a great champion of our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Johnny’s family and friends.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe also expressed his condolences:
I am saddened by the passing of former Senator and Delegate Johnny Joannou. Johnny will be remembered for his decades of devoted service to his community and his Commonwealth as a member of the General Assembly. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends who are grieving this loss today.
