Gaithersburg Mourns Death Of Former City Council Member

Former Gaithersburg City Council member Julius Persensky died Saturday, April 20, the city announced.

Persensky had served on the City Council from 1980 to 1995 and continued to serve the city in numerous roles after his elected service expired, Mayor Sidney A. Katz said in a statement.

" 'J,' as he preferred to be called, dedicated a considerable amount of his personal life to public service. I had the honor of serving with him when he was a member of the Gaithersburg City Council ... a time period that saw much growth and innovation in Gaithersburg," Katz said. "J’s thoughtful leadership and passion for community service helped set this city on a path to greatness."

Persensky worked as a member of the city's Community Advisory Committee, Cultural Arts Advisory Committee, and "had a special place in his heart for the Wells/Robertson House," Katz said.

Read Mayor Katz's full statement on the city of Gaithersburg website.

"J was an innovator, an activist, a visionary, and a doer – a rare combination of persistence and compassion that makes good things happen. He loved Gaithersburg, and we are certainly better off because he did," Katz said. "He will be missed, but we are comforted in knowing that his legacy surrounds us."