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Former Virginia Beach mayor, state senator, passes away at 94

Clancy Holland served as Mayor of Virginia Beach in the mid-1970s. He went on to become a State Senator, representing the 7th District from 1984 to 1996.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Hampton Roads is remembering a long-time public servant who passed away over the Veterans Day weekend.

Clarence "Clancy" Holland served as Mayor of Virginia Beach in the mid-1970s. He went on to become a State Senator, representing the 7th District as a Democrat from 1984 to 1996. He worked alongside his brother, the late Richard Holland, who also served as a state senator for many years in the 1980s and 90s.

During his time in office, Holland was an advocate for beach conservation and transportation. He pushed for creating the Virginia Marine Science Museum, which is today called the Virginia Aquarium.

Before his time in politics, Holland was a lieutenant in the Navy and he went on to become a doctor, practicing family medicine in the area for 53 years.

One year, he even served as King Neptune in the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.

"Clancy cared about people. He was a people person," said former state Senator Sonny Stallings. "Typically, he never met a stranger. He liked people. I think people gravitated to Clancy. He made you feel comfortable. And with that personality, he was able to accomplish a lot for the City of Virginia Beach. I loved Clancy, and everybody is going to miss him. This city is going to miss him."

Holland passed away at age 94 on November 11. A public celebration of Holland's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, at Bayside Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach. 

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