In Baltimore, the People Say Goodbye to Schaefer

Ida Lafferman Cohen, 87, spent almost her entire life in Baltimore in a house near the intersection of North High and Low streets. Now Cohen lives in a condo “out in the county” off Reisterstown Road.

The cab ride to City Hall cost her $61. But it’s worth it, she said. She came to say so long to an old acquaintance: William Donald Schaefer.

The body of the former mayor, governor and comptroller was brought to City Hall Monday afternoon, where it will lie in repose until his Wednesday funeral.

“He was sharp when he talked. You’ll never see another mayor like him,” Cohen said.

She remembered her deceased husband, Nathan Cohen, who worked for the city for 30 years, saying that if you needed a job to go see Schaefer.

Ida Cohen was one of the first people to arrive to see the procession at City Hall on Monday. She wore a black blazer with white flowers and black slacks and waited in the 80-degree heat for the casket to arrive.

She campaigned for Schaefer, volunteering at polling places when he ran for office.

“He was a great man. He always had a smile for you,” Cohen said.

Albert Mills, 70, rode his bike from his home near Johns Hopkins Hospital to pay his respects to the man residents affectionately called “Willie Don.”

“He’s an icon. He’ll be missed,” Mills said.

Mills worked as a security guard for 20 years at the Baltimore Convention Center. He remembered Schaefer coming there on one Thanksgiving to feed the homeless. Mills said he remembers Schaefer’s “do it now” attitude rubbing some people the wrong way, but it was one of the things he liked about the politician.

“A lot of people will talk bad about him, but people will talk [bad] about Jesus,” Mills said.

David Carey, 56, came dressed in his Orioles cap and took pictures to commemorate the event. Carey, a lifelong Baltimore resident, said Schaefer was the kind of politician that could get things done.

He said if residents thought there was too much speeding going on North Avenue near the intersection of Charles Street, Schaefer would find a way to slow down drivers.

“If it was in his ability, there would be a speed bump on North and Charles,” Carey said.

At 6 p.m., after Schaefer’s casket was in place in the City Hall Rotunda, and dignitaries held their own ceremony, the public was allowed to come in to say goodbye.

The line of people waiting stretched from the corner of Fayette and Holiday streets to the corner of Gay and Fayette streets.

People of all stripes black and white; some in jeans others in suits; celebrities such as John Waters stood next to people whose closest brush with fame would be being interviewed for television news.

Charles Wolferman, 47, was one of those waiting in line to say goodbye.

“You’re not losing a governor," he said. "You’re losing a friend."