Thomas H. Countee, Jr., Esq.

Washington Post, November 7, 2010

Thomas H. Countee, Jr., a retired attorney and former Executive Director of the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, died of respiratory failure on Oct. 30th at Washington Adventist Hospital. The Silver Spring resident was 71.

Born in Washington, DC, and always known as "Mickey", he was a graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover, MA and attended Harvard College before being confined to a wheelchair as a result of a diving accident in the summer of 1958. He completed his undergraduate studies at American University, received a law degree from Georgetown University, and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Early in his career, he worked at several federal agencies including the Peace Corps, VISTA, Comptroller of the Currency, the SEC and the OMB. He also taught at Howard University School of Business.

After retiring from public service, Mr. Countee traveled widely, enjoyed sailing and then served for many years as pro bono Director of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association. He was active in helping to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act, conducted advocacy and testimony at local and national levels, including participating in the first White House Conference on the Handicapped.

Mr. Countee is survived by a daughter, Mekela, two granddaughters, and two brothers, Charles and Michael.