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Let's bid farewell to Marylanders of note who passed away in 2008:

James P. Gleason: Montgomery County's first, and some say best, county executive. Tough, decisive, honest and blunt.

Neal Potter: After 20 years on the Montgomery County Council he won a 1990 long-shot race for county executive. Peaceful, cerebral, determined and modest.

Gwendolyn Britt: This college civil rights worker raised a family and later became a successful politician and state senator.

J. Robert Hooper: Community leader, businessman, county councilman and state senator from Harford County.

Jim McKay: Baltimorean and Evening Sun reporter who became world renowned TV sports caster.

Sammy Baugh: The greatest Redskins quarterback of all time, won two world championships.

Marilyn J. Praisner: Montgomery County councilwoman and former school board member.

Hugh Burgess: Howard County attorney, environmentalist and House of Delegates member.

Sol J. Friedman: Baltimore politician elected to House of Delegates, appointed District Court Judge.

Helen L. Koss: Montgomery Countian who became first female committee chairman in Maryland's House of Delegates.

William W. Warner: His Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Beautiful Swimmers," sparked Chesapeake Bay environmentalism.

James J. Doyle Jr.: Baltimore attorney and renowned "old fashioned" State House lobbyist who succeeded without bribes and corruption.

Charles Benton Jr.: The financial genius behind Baltimore's renaissance, budget chief when William Donald Schaeffer was mayor and governor.

Thomas Cardinale: Baltimore transplant who became mayor of Berlin, MD.

Wayne A. Cawley Jr.: Farmer who served 10 years as Maryland's secretary of agriculture.

Gordon C. Kamka: Criminal justice expert, corrections secretary under Gov. Harry Hughes.

Jack Lemmon: Well-respected journalist for the Washington Post and managing editor of the Evening Sun.

E. Allen Shepherd: Public defender and Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge.

Gene Lynch: Civic leader, political insider who served as general services secretary under Gov. Parris Glendening.

Kenneth Harris: Murdered on the streets of Baltimore, the city he once served as a city councilman.

Mickey Vernon: Played for and managed the Washington Senators, two-time batting champion.

Eddie Brinkman: Played for Senators and Tigers where he won Gold Glove Award.

Robert L. Gluckstern: Physicist, teacher and University of Maryland chancellor.

Buzz Nutter: Played center for legendary 1958 Baltimore Colts world champs.

Milt Davis: Played defensive back on the same Colts team, all-pro.

Jane Gude: Congressman's wife who was a force in her own right.

Victor McKusick: Hopkins doctor, scientist and professor called "the father of medical genetics."

Ben Brundred: Brought PGA Tour event to Montgomery County, "Mr. Golf."

Art Murphy: Talented political consultant, member of Baltimore's Murphy family dynasty.

Dorothy Davidson: Montgomery County political activist, campaign manager.

W. Robert "Robbie" Wallis: Respected journalist, editor of Harford County's The Aegis.

Nick Lynch: Beloved Suitland High School football coach and mentor.

Louis G. Chacos: Long-time D.C. area high school and college football coach.

Clem Florio: Prize fighter and horse racing enthusiast who covered the tracks for radio and newspaper.

Roger D. Redden: Well-liked Baltimore attorney and political confidant.

Vincent C. Burke Jr.: D.C. area civic leader, lawyer and CEO of Riggs Bank.

Elaine Stein: Longtime Baltimore area TV and radio personality.

Ryda Hecht Levi: Philanthropist, art collector and society leader.

Alexander L. Cummings: Served 24 years as clerk of Maryland's Court of Appeals.

Marcia Krasnick: Feared Prince George's County political activist who got things done.

George Ferris Jr.: Banker who chaired Ferris, Baker Watts.

John Kelly: Court clerk, worked for Baltimore's courts for 36 years.

George R. Houston Jr.: Teacher and president of Mount St. Mary's University.

Nicholas B. Mangione: Prominent business leader, owned Turf Valley and Hayfields Country Clubs.

Joseph A. Muldoon Jr.: Influential attorney, finance expert and polo enthusiast.

Louise Beauregard: Longtime State House presence known for her frequent, eccentric public meetings testimonies.

May they rest in peace.

Blair Lee is CEO of the Lee Development Group in Silver Spring and a regular commentator for WBAL radio. His column appears Fridays in The Gazette. His e-mail address is blair@leedg.com.