Alexander A. Beiro, 80, a construction
company founder and philanthropist
who chaired the Alexandria Board of
Zoning Appeals from 1974 to 1987,
died Sept. 4 at his home in Alexandria.
He had bile duct cancer.
(Family Photo)
company founder and philanthropist
who chaired the Alexandria Board of
Zoning Appeals from 1974 to 1987,
died Sept. 4 at his home in Alexandria.
He had bile duct cancer.
(Family Photo)
| Alexander A. Beiro |
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Alexander A. Beiro, 80, a construction company founder and philanthropist who chaired the
Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals from 1974 to 1987, died Sept. 4 at his home in Alexandria.
He had bile duct cancer. Mr. Beiro started Alexandria-based A.A. Beiro Construction in 1963.
During the next 25 years, his projects included Metro stations at King Street in Alexandria,
Friendship Heights in Chevy Chase and Bethesda.
Alexandria Board of Zoning Appeals from 1974 to 1987, died Sept. 4 at his home in Alexandria.
He had bile duct cancer. Mr. Beiro started Alexandria-based A.A. Beiro Construction in 1963.
During the next 25 years, his projects included Metro stations at King Street in Alexandria,
Friendship Heights in Chevy Chase and Bethesda.
The firm also completed renovations at D.C. General Hospital and the D.C. jail and the concrete
work for the original Washington Convention Center.
work for the original Washington Convention Center.
In 1992, the company won a protracted legal battle against the District government over work on
an $8 million vocational school for the disabled at H Street and New Jersey Avenue NW in the
mid-1980s.
an $8 million vocational school for the disabled at H Street and New Jersey Avenue NW in the
mid-1980s.
In 2002, the D.C. Contract Appeals Board ruled in the company's favor after years of appeals by
the city.
the city.
Alexander Aloysius Beiro was born in Manhattan, N.Y., and raised in Alexandria. He graduated
from St. Johns College High School in Washington and from Catholic University with a degree in
civil engineering in 1952.
from St. Johns College High School in Washington and from Catholic University with a degree in
civil engineering in 1952.
After two years in the Army, including Korean War service, Mr. Beiro was a construction project
manager in the Midwest.
manager in the Midwest.
Starting in the 1980s, he became a financial supporter of the Community for Creative
Non-Violence, a Washington homeless shelter started by activist Mitch Snyder. He also built
Heritage Hill, an affordable housing development in Orange, Va.
Non-Violence, a Washington homeless shelter started by activist Mitch Snyder. He also built
Heritage Hill, an affordable housing development in Orange, Va.
Through his family foundation, started in the 1990s, he gave to charities and helped students in need of college tuition.
He also sponsored baseball teams participating in the Alexandria Little League as well as an annual essay contest at St. Rita Catholic
Church's elementary school in Alexandria, with the winner in each of the nine grades receiving a new bicycle. A fitness enthusiast, Mr.
Beiro helped many of his construction company employees learn skiing and racquetball. In his 70s, he took up yoga. He also learned
Spanish, French, Italian and Mandarin during his travels. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. 2001, he began studying Arabic.
Church's elementary school in Alexandria, with the winner in each of the nine grades receiving a new bicycle. A fitness enthusiast, Mr.
Beiro helped many of his construction company employees learn skiing and racquetball. In his 70s, he took up yoga. He also learned
Spanish, French, Italian and Mandarin during his travels. After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. 2001, he began studying Arabic.
His wife of 42 years, Jean O'Connell Beiro, died in 1997.
Survivors include nine children, Ruth M. Dale and Daniel L. Beiro, both of Woodbridge, Noreen A. Beiro of San Francisco, Gregory M. Beiro
of McLean and Alexander A. Beiro Jr., Christopher J. Beiro, Jennifer G. Beiro-Rockveille, Sara Beiro Farabow and Mary T. Beiro, all of
Alexandria; three sisters, Joan Neuses of Alexandria, Mary Simpson Williams of Manassas and Anne G. Beiro, a Catholic missionary in
India known as Sister Mary Bruno; and 13 grandchildren.
of McLean and Alexander A. Beiro Jr., Christopher J. Beiro, Jennifer G. Beiro-Rockveille, Sara Beiro Farabow and Mary T. Beiro, all of
Alexandria; three sisters, Joan Neuses of Alexandria, Mary Simpson Williams of Manassas and Anne G. Beiro, a Catholic missionary in
India known as Sister Mary Bruno; and 13 grandchildren.
-- Adam Bernstein