Former Maryland Gov. William Donald Schaefer, 89, died Monday, according to Gov. Martin O’Malley.

“William Donald Schaefer loved his city and his state with great exuberance because there was nothing more important to him than the people that he served with such loyalty,” O’Malley said in a statement. “From his famous ‘no excuses’ leadership style, to his celebrated public persona, William Donald Schaefer demonstrated an unrelenting drive to make Maryland a better place.”

The blunt-talking Democrat was elected in 1971 to succeed retiring Baltimore Mayor Thomas J. D’Alesandro III, the brother of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), according to an obituary by the Baltimore Sun. Schaefer served as mayor for 15 years until 1987, when he became governor. He held that term-limited position for eight years.

Schaefer was then elected in 1998 as state comptroller, serving for eight years until his defeat in 2006.

Schaefer was never married and has no survivors. He publicly dated Hilda Mae Snoops, who become his official hostess during his time as governor. She died in 1999 at 74.

Schaefer will lie in state in the State House in Annapolis and the Rotunda of Baltimore City Hall, according to O’Malley’s statement, with times and dates to be announced.