The Man They Named Falls Church City Hall After Dies at 87

Harry E. Wells, the man after whom the Falls Church City Hall is named, died at his Poplar Drive home of 55 years in Falls Church Tuesday at the age of 87. He died of congestive heart failure.

An 82-year resident of Falls Church, he was a public servant here for 35 consecutive years from the time Falls Church was incorporated as an independent city in 1948 until his retirement in 1983. He served as its city manager for a record 19 years from 1964 to 1983. He and his wife were also ardent advocates and volunteers for the Northern Virginia Training Center.

Wells moved to Falls Church from Seat Pleasant, Maryland, as a five-year old child in 1922 and lived here ever since. He attended Falls Church schools, met his wife who also grew up here, served in the U.S. Army and Air Force during World War II, and with the incorporation of Falls Church in 1948, immediately began a long career of public service until his 1983 retirement.

His six children were all born and raised in Falls Church at the same Poplar Drive residence and attended Falls Church public schools. His brother, Claude, preceded him in death by three years, and was also a lifelong Falls Church public servant, serving as the commissioner of the revenue for many years while Harry Wells was city manager. Harry and Claude Wells were co-grand marshals of the annual Falls Church Memorial Day Parade in the mid-1990s.

"Harry Wells and my father were very good friends," said Falls Church's Edna Frady, whose father, Don Frady, was director of public works for many years while Wells was city manger. "He was a wonderful person, and admired greatly."

After attending Falls Church schools, Harry Wells graduated from Western High School in Washington, D.C., and studied civil engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He served in the United States Army and Air Force during World War II, from 1941 to 1946, retiring as an Air Force intelligence officer. He later took courses at the University of Virginia extension in public administration.

With the incorporation of Falls Church 1948, Wells began to serve the City in a number of administrative capacities, including treasurer, purchasing agent, registrar of voters, clerk of the municipal court, clerk of the City Council, assistant city manager, acting city manager, and in 1964 was appointed city manager. A man known for his love of Falls Church, Wells was proud of the city administration which acquired and developed over 45 acres of parks and open space.

The City Hall in Falls Church was named the Harry E. Wells Building in September, 1979, as resolved by a unanimous vote of the City Council. The resolution stated that “Harry E. Wells has shown continually great love and affection for the city which has served as an inspiration for the public, city employees, city boards and commissions, and City Councils.”

At the ceremony, Wells said, “This is a great day for me. Little did I dream in September of 1948 that one day a building in the city that I love would be named after me. I am sincerely grateful.”

Married in 1943 to Kathleen Kay McGinnis of Falls Church, the Wells' moved their Poplar Drive address in 1945 and had six children. A genial neighbors, known for his deep laugh, Wells and his wife Kay shared joys and sorrows with neighbors and family over the years.

As parents of a child with autism, they became involved with other parents of children with special needs, and spent much time, talent, energy and compassion as advocates and volunteers for the Northern Virginia Training Center (NVTC) of Fairfax.

The couple served in many capacities for Parents and Associates of NVTC. Proposing, overseeing, and finding funding for special projects at the Center came naturally to Wells, a man who had done the same for the City of Falls Church for many years.

Some of the projects spearheaded by Wells included an indoor swimming pool, a nature trail, enclosed sun porches, all-weather sports court, and picnic pavilion. His commitment and dedication have enriched the lives of the residents and employees of NVTC.

A beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Wells is survived by six children: Michael (Nereza) Wells of New Jersey, Patrick (Nancy) Wells , Nan (John)Wells Alcott, Maggie (David) Wells Schwind, Ruth (James) Wells Porter and Harry V. Wells of Virginia. He has 15 grandchildren: Rev. Stephen Alcott, O.P. of Ohio, Christopher Alcott of Texas, Ryan Wells of New York, Dr. Erin Wells of Virginia, Kathleen Alcott Happ of Virginia, J.J. Alcott of Virginia, David Alcott of Wisconsin, Nathan Wells of California, Elizabeth Alcott, Zachary Schwind, Kristin Schwind, Jacob Schwind, Cassie Porter of Virginia, Candy Salazar and Cindy Llenos of New Jersey. He is the great-grandfather of six children: Luke, Vincent and Jonathan Alcott of Texas, Miriam and Stephen Happ of Virginia, and Jean Mitchell Franz Llenos of New Jersey.

The City of Falls Church Office of Communications is soliciting remembrances of Wells from local citizens. They can be sent to the Harry E. Wells City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harry Wells' name to Parents and Associates of Northern Virginia Training Center, 9901 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032 , or the Cherry Hill Farm, c/o Falls Church Historical Commission, 120 North Virginia Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046,

Visitation will be at the Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad St., Falls Church on Friday, Sept. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m., with words of tribute and remembrance by family and friends at 7 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at St. James Catholic Church, Spring and Park Ave., Falls Church, on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m.

A final procession through the City will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Murphy’s Falls Church Funeral Home and proceed to the City Hall for a wreath laying. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Park, West St. at Lee Hwy., Falls Church.