Marvin Mandel obit

Former Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel dies at age 95

 He was not on the list.

Former Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel has died at age 95, his family announced Sunday evening.

Mandel died Sunday afternoon after having spent two days in St. Mary’s County visiting with his family and the family of his former wife, Jeanne Dorsey Mandel, while celebrating the 50th birthday of their son Paul Dorsey, the family said in a statement.

"Governor Mandel was a great governor but more importantly a great father and grandfather," Dorsey said in a statement. "He spent his final weekend with family in St. Mary’s County eating crabs and enjoying the beautiful scenery that St. Mary’s has to offer. He lived life to the fullest."

Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Mandel.

"The first lady and I send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Mandel family and all those who loved and cared for him," Hogan said in a statement . "The state of Maryland lost not only a former governor but also a truly great leader and someone countless people thought of as a friend, including myself. I will be forever grateful for the advice, wisdom, and stories Governor Mandel has shared with me throughout the years.

"No other governor has had the lasting impact on all three branches of Maryland government and while he held elective office for 28 years, he dedicated his life to making our state a better place to live. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Governor Mandel, but I know that his legacy will live on, through the many people he touched during the course of his life."

The Democrat served as the 56th governor of Maryland from 1969 to 1979. He became governor after the resignation of former Gov. Spiro Agnew before he was elected to two terms.

"So many programs and benefits that Marylander’s have today and rely upon were established by Governor Mandel, such as The Maryland Public School Construction Program to relieve county government of the financial burden of building schools; establishment of the Maryland Shock Trauma Emergency Medical Services System; enactment of the strictest gun control laws at that time and the passage of the state’s first public accommodations statute to prohibit racial discrimination," Mandel's family said in a statement.

He was born, and educated in Baltimore and received a law degree from the University of Maryland in 1942. That same year, he enlisted in the Army.

Mandel was honorably discharged in 1944, and started practicing law in Baltimore City. His political career started when the city's democratic political machine helped him get appointed to a vacant seat in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1952. He became house speaker in 1963.

When Gov. Spiro Agnew resigned in 1969 to become President Richard Nixon's vice president, the General Assembly appointed Mandel to serve the rest of Agnew's term.

Voters kept Mandel in the governor's seat, but his accomplishments were overshadowed by a 1975 indictment on federal charges of mail fraud and racketeering.

"I think the future will show that during my administration nothing was ever done to defraud the public of the state of Maryland," Mandel said at the time.

Federal prosecutors claimed Mandel accepted more than $350,000 in cash, favors and gifts in exchange for pushing through legislation that would benefit the old owners of the Marlboro Race Track in Prince George's County.

Mandel was tried twice. The first trial was dismissed because of allegations of jury tampering. Mandel handled it with humor.

"I thought that the government was going to end up spending $5 million to find out about those gifts. I would've taken the $ 5 million and given them the gifts," Mandel said at the time.

Mandel was convicted in a second trial and served 19 months of a four-year sentence in federal prison. President Ronald Reagan commuted the sentence in 1981. Six years later, a federal court overturned Mandel's conviction.

After his conviction was overturned, Mandel was reinstated as a member of the Maryland Bar in good standing, and he practiced law in Annapolis.

Mandel's personal life while governor also made national headlines. His wife of 32 years, Barbara, kicked him out of the governor's mansion in 1974.

Mandel then pronounced his love for Jean Dorsey, a woman 17 years his junior. He declared he intended to get a divorce and marry her. Three years later, his ex-wife still respected the politician

"I still think he remained honest," Barbara Mandel said. "I do think he's an honorable man, as far as public office is concerned."

Mandel's marriage to Jean lasted 27 years before she died in 2001. Even in his 80's, Mandel continued to practice law in Annapolis, and kept his seat on the University of Maryland Board of Regents.

He remained a behind-the-scenes force in politics and may be considered by some as the architect of modern state government.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also paid tribute to Mandel.

"I join all of Baltimore in expressing my sorrow over the passing of former Gov. Marvin Mandel," Rawlings-Blake said in a statement. "I know that Governor Mandel will be remembered for many accomplishments during his time in state government, particularly the instrumental role he played in developing and promoting public transit in our region. I will fondly remember his love of state and local politics and the stories he would share. My thoughts and prayers are with Governor Mandel's family."

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz released a statement, saying: “The state of Maryland lost a true gentleman yesterday with the passing of Gov. Marvin Mandel. Like so many others, I was honored to call him both a friend and mentor. During his time as governor, he reshaped government in Maryland as we had come to know it. Many of his reforms are still evident today. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Mandel family.”

"We have lost a legendary leader," Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh said in a statement. "Marvin Mandel transformed our state and built a legacy that is felt in every corner of Maryland. On behalf of all the citizens of Anne Arundel County, our hearts and prayers are with the Mandel family during this difficult time."

In a statement, state Comptroller Peter Franchot said: "Marvin Mandel is a monumental figure in the history of our great state, and more importantly, he was fundamentally a good man and public servant. As a Marylander and as Comptroller, I will forever be grateful for his determination as governor to modernize and streamline state government operations which earned national renown and were vital to Maryland's longstanding reputation for sound fiscal stewardship. On a personal note, I will always treasure his gestures of friendship, whether it was spending an afternoon in my office discussing World War II with my father, offering sage advice, or sharing one of his patented stories from days gone by. It is with deep affection and admiration that Anne and I extend our love and prayers."

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin released a statement, saying: "Governor Mandel was the Speaker of the House of Delegates when I was first elected to that body. I was witness to and learned from his unique ability to bridge political and geographic divides to get things done for the state of Maryland. Governor Mandel understood that government existed to serve the people, he instilled that ultimate truth into every member of the House of Delegates and that tenet served as the cornerstone of his governorship. During his time as governor, we saw unprecedented investments in education and transportation infrastructure, as well as an overall streamlining of government to make it more effective. Maryland is the strong state it is today thanks in part to decisions Governor Mandel made years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings released a statement, saying: "I join my fellow Marylanders in mourning the death of former Governor Marvin Mandel. Governor Mandel had a lasting impact on Maryland. During his time as Governor, he invested in the state’s public school and public transportation systems, and we are still reaping the benefits of those investments today. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Funeral arrangements set for former Gov. Marvin Mandel

Mandel will be lying in state at the State House in Annapolis from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The governor and other dignitaries and elected officials will receive Mandel's family at the State House around 10 a.m.

Services are set to take place at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sol Levinson & Bros. Inc., located at 8900 Reisterstown Road.

Mandel had two children, a son Gary and a daughter Ellen, from his first marriage.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mandel's memory to the ALS Association, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855.