Lee Sanford "Sandy" Ainslie, Jr.

Lee Sanford “Sandy” Ainslie Jr. died on October 22, 2023.  He was born on June 24, 1937, in Huntington, West Virginia to devoted parents, Lee Sanford and Alice Groverman Ainslie. Sandy graduated from Episcopal High School, earned his BA from the University of North Carolina, his MEd from the University of Lynchburg, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary.

Sandy is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Sharon Quinn Ainslie; his three children: Lee Sanford Ainslie III and his wife Elizabeth McKenna Ainslie of Hobe Sound, Florida and their sons,  Lee Sanford Ainslie IV and John Stevenson Ainslie; Garth Quinn Ainslie and his wife Anne Ragsdale Ainslie of Lynchburg, Virginia and their sons, Garth Quinn Ainslie Jr. and Hayne Ragsdale Ainslie; and Elizabeth Ainslie Green of Lynchburg, Virginia, and her daughters, Elizabeth Anna Green,  Ainslie Sutherland Green, and Catherine Blake Green.  He is also survived by his beloved sister, Alice Anne Ainslie Freund and her husband William Bastien Freund of Bethany Beach, Maryland, and their two daughters and four grandchildren. 

Sandy said of his college years, “Wow, was I disappointed in myself.” Though, there were a few highs – including his being selected as a Morehead scholar, being a member of the SAE fraternity, serving as the president of the Order of Gimghoul, and being a member of the basketball and track teams.   His most enduring accomplishment from those years was being fortunate enough to meet Sharon Lea Quinn of Hastings on Hudson, New York.

Sandy began his career in education as a teacher and a coach at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia.  He later served as an Assistant and Associate Headmaster before going on to Virginia Episcopal School as Headmaster.  After seven years he returned to Alexandria as the Headmaster of Episcopal High School, a position that he held for seventeen years.  Sandy was incredibly proud of his team at VES that worked hard to significantly strengthen the school’s enrollment and endowment.  At EHS, he enjoyed thoughtfully, deliberately, and successfully leading the school into co-education while also building the endowment and enrollment. His stewardship left an impressive legacy at both schools.

During his career and in retirement, Sandy served on many educationally related boards.  They included six independent schools and three colleges, as well as The Amazement Square and Beacon of Hope boards locally. In addition, he was a member of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the

Independent Schools of the Greater Washington Area boards and served several terms as president of the Interstate Athletic Conference.

However, no achievement surpassed his loving marriage to Sharon; his constant companion, friend, and better half for the last half century.

The family wishes to thank their friends and the wonderful Westminster-Canterbury Hospice Care Team, especially, Skyelar, Lynn, and Wendy for their love and support during the past months. 

A memorial service will be held at Langhorne Chapel at Virginia Episcopal School on Saturday, October

28^th at 2 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Episcopal High School at 1200 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302 or Virginia Episcopal School at 400 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.