Charlottesville is mourning the loss of its former two-term mayor Satyendra Huja, who died on February 14. He was 83 years old.
A prolific figure in local government, Huja held numerous leadership positions during his more than three decades of work for the City of Charlottesville. One of his most notable projects was opening—and keeping open—the now-iconic Downtown Mall in 1976.
Huja was elected to City Council in 2008, then as mayor in 2012. He was the first Indian Sikh mayor of an American city. He also served as the city’s director of planning and director of community development.
Beyond his professional life, Huja was a prolific author, a familiar face at numerous community events, and an avid volunteer. His family encourages donations be made in his honor to Meals on Wheels or the Charlottesville Band.
A celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Rugby Road on March 1 at 3pm.
Satyendra Huja, who served as mayor of Charlottesville from 2012 to 2016, passed away on February 14. Photo by Sarah Cramer Shields.
