Anthony V. Dresden

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Western High School Georgetown University

Anthony Dresden Obituary

Name: Funeral service for Anthony V. Dresden
Start: 2025-08-19T10:30:00.000Z
Location: Chapel of St. Ignatius at Holy Trinity Church

Anthony Vejarano Dresden died August 5, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia, of cancer.

He was born in Washington, DC on June 6, 1952. He attended Western High School and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English from Georgetown University.

Tony was a talented writer, a skill that shaped his career. His experience working on Capitol Hill and for labor unions, most notably as Director of Public Affairs for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, led to his role as a speechwriter for the Chairman and Ranking Minority Members of the Senate Budget Committee. He also wrote for three IRS Commissioners, agency secretaries, CEOs, and leaders of high-profile trade associations, non-profits, and advocacy groups. The last decade of his working years was spent as a partner in Jordan Dresden Communications, LLC, a strategic communications firm, with a focus on health and environmental issues.

Tony was a kind and gentle soul, with a wonderful sense of humor. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Caribbean, and had a special love for Grand Turk, which was his favorite place to scuba dive. A boulevardier, he loved to take long walks, drink coffee with friends, and talk about books, articles, and the state of the world. He was extraordinarily generous and supported a variety of organizations dedicated to the most vulnerable, from animal welfare to human aid and environmental protection.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Dresden and Marta Vejarano Dresden. He is survived by his brother Christopher Dresden, of Boise, ID. He will be remembered with love by his best friend, Joelle Jordan, of Alexandria, and his goddaughter, Ariel Jordan del Pozzo, of Quepos, Costa Rica.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel of St. Ignatius at Holy Trinity Church, 3513 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 10, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Dresden

3 Entries

Elena Vejarano

August 14, 2025

On my first visit to Washington, DC in 1992, my cousin Tony Dresden graciously gave me a perfect day in the city where he grew up.
We started on a historic note at the Capitol Building, where he worked. From there, Tony introduced me to a few of his beloved places in Washington.
We toured the "must-see" Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle. As we walked through the rooms, Tony, an admirer of French impressionists, expressed his delight in the Luncheon of the Boating Party. I think he would have liked to have joined that party.
We then drove through Georgetown, where he grew up. He reminisced about his family, and my father´s sister, his beloved mother Marta.
Tony and his brother Chris enjoyed the years when my brother Carlos attended Georgetown University - their cousin living nearby who entertained everyone over dinner.
Tony saved what he loved most for last: Dumbarton Oaks. He and our Aunt Alicia, who lived in Paris, would spend hours there admiring the museum and gardens when she visited.
Tony and I concluded our day with dinner at his apartment. He prepared coq au vin and reminisced about his father´s love of food and cooking. His father was for many years the food critic for the Washington Post.
Finally, Tony was a bibliophile. His living room looked like a library, and we discussed books over dinner.
Our perfect day was filled with beauty, interesting conversation, reminiscing, laughter, good food, and our "Vejarano family" bond.
More than anything else, when I want to feel close to Tony, I will visit Dumbarton Oaks.

Robin Fisher

August 13, 2025

Tony was a a special cousin for me. He was a real book worm like myself and made me discover some great authors both American and British. Thanks to him I read Last Orders which was made into a great movie with Michael Caine and Helen Mirren. We corresponded regularly and his knowledgeable insights on US politics were invaluable. He was also deeply loyal and selflessly devoted to his mother (my aunt Marta) whom he looked after until her dying hour. She must rejoice to have him again by her side.

Dulcie Williams

August 10, 2025

We loved you so much and always will. You are one of the best people we have ever known. George and Dulcie Williams

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