# Alexander Farrelly

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American politician

Alexander Farrelly 4th Governor of the United States Virgin Islands In office January 5, 1987 – January 2, 1995 Lieutenant Derek Hodge Preceded by Juan Francisco Luis Succeeded by Roy Schneider Personal details Born Alexander Anthony Farrelly (1923-12-29)December 29, 1923 Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands Died September 10, 2002(2002-09-10) (aged 78) Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. Party Democratic Spouse(s) Catherine Joan Education St. John's University, New York (BA, LLB) Yale University (LLM)

**Alexander Anthony Farrelly** (December 29, 1923 – September 10, 2002) was an American politician who served as the 4th [governor of the United States Virgin Islands](/source/Governor_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands) from 1987 to 1995, as a member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)). Prior to his tenure as governor he was a municipal judge and a member of the [Legislature of the Virgin Islands](/source/Legislature_of_the_Virgin_Islands).

## Early life and education

Alexander Anthony Farrelly was born in [Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands](/source/Frederiksted%2C_U.S._Virgin_Islands), on December 29, 1923. He graduated from St. Patrick's Parochial School in 1940. He served in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) before receiving a honorable discharge. He graduated from [St. John's University, New York](/source/St._John's_University_(New_York_City)) with a [Bachelor of Laws](/source/Bachelor_of_Laws) degree and from [Yale University](/source/Yale_University) with a [Master of Laws](/source/Master_of_Laws) degree.[1] He was elected president of the [Pi Sigma Alpha](/source/Pi_Sigma_Alpha) at St. John's University in 1950.[2]

## Career

In 1955, Farrelly started practicing law in New York. He became a Caribbean specialist for the [United Nations](/source/United_Nations). Farrelly returned to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1962, and became an assistant U.S. attorney. Governor [Ralph Moses Paiewonsky](/source/Ralph_Moses_Paiewonsky) appointed him as judge of the Municipal Court of the Virgin Islands in 1965.[1]

Running as a candidate for the [Unity Democrats](/source/Democratic_Party_of_the_Virgin_Islands) in the 1966 election, Farrelly won a seat in the [Legislature of the Virgin Islands](/source/Legislature_of_the_Virgin_Islands) as an at-large candidate. His vote total of 7,324 was the highest ever received by a candidate at that point. He was reelected to represent the St. Thomas-St. John district.[1]

The Third Constitutional Convention was held in 1977, and Farrelly was made president. He was general counsel for the Fourth Constitutional Convention held in 1980.[1]

From 1976 to 1998, he represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in the [Democratic National Committee](/source/Democratic_National_Committee).[1]

### Governor

In the [1970 gubernatorial election](/source/1970_United_States_Virgin_Islands_general_election) Farrelly was the Democratic nominee, but lost to Republican nominee [Melvin H. Evans](/source/Melvin_H._Evans).[1]

From 1987 to 1995, Farrelly served as [governor of the United States Virgin Islands](/source/Governor_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands). Farrelly was the first member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) elected as governor and was the second governor to be elected to a second term.[1]

Raphael Joseph, who received multiple life sentences for his involvement in the [Fountain Valley massacre](/source/Fountain_Valley_massacre), was pardoned by Farrelly.[1]

## Personal life

Farrelly married Catherine, who died in 1982, and later married Joan. He died in [Arlington County, Virginia](/source/Arlington_County%2C_Virginia), on September 10, 2002.[1]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESt._Thomas_Source2002_1-8) [St. Thomas Source 2002](#CITEREFSt._Thomas_Source2002).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEJohnson1950_2-0)** [Johnson 1950](#CITEREFJohnson1950).

## Works cited

- ["Former Governor Farrelly Is Dead At 78"](https://stthomassource.com/content/2002/09/11/former-governor-farrelly-dead-78-1/). *St. Thomas Source*. September 11, 2002. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260525000140/https://stthomassource.com/content/2002/09/11/former-governor-farrelly-dead-78-1/) from the original on May 25, 2026.

- Johnson, Cecil (May 22, 1950). ["Around the Borough"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle/198207736/). *[Brooklyn Eagle](/source/Brooklyn_Eagle)*. p. 10 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

## External links

- [Alexander Farrelly.com, a tribute site](https://web.archive.org/web/20080406161222/http://www.alexanderfarrelly.com/)

Party political offices First Democratic nominee for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands 1970, 1974 Succeeded by Ron de Lugo Preceded by Henry Millin Democratic nominee for Governor of the United States Virgin Islands 1986, 1990 Succeeded by Derek Hodge Political offices Preceded by Juan Francisco Luis Governor of the United States Virgin Islands 1987–1995 Succeeded by Roy Schneider

v t e Governors of the U.S. Virgin Islands Naval (1917–1931) Pollock Oliver Oman Kittelle Hough Williams Trench W. Evans Civil (1931–1969) Pearson Herrick Cramer Lovett Harwood Hastie de Castro Alexander Claunch Gordon Merwin Paiewonsky King Elected (since 1969) M. Evans King Luis Farrelly Schneider Turnbull de Jongh Mapp Bryan

Authority control databases VIAF GND WorldCat

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