Frank Gardner, the father of Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell, died Saturday after a long illness, according to the governor's office. He was 87.
Gardner died late Saturday night at a nursing home in Springfield, said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for Gov. Bob McDonnell.
McDonnell canceled a ceremonial bill signing Saturday so that he could join his wife and family at Gardner's side.
Gardner was a Marine who served in the World War II battles of Iwo Jima and Saipan. He worked for the FBI and the State
Department.
Besides daughter Maureen, he had eight other children. His wife, Geraldine Gardner, died a year ago.
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