Written by Ben Sumner of Ki Whang Kim Traditional Martial Arts Association
Grandmaster Albert R. Cheeks, the founder and president of the Ki Whang Kim Traditional Martial Arts Association, a ninth-degree black belt, and one of the top U.S. taekwondo fighters of the 1970s, passed away on August 11, 2026. He was 74.
Barry Richards, the legendary radio DJ, television host and concert promoter who helped shape the Washington region’s music scene, died peacefully on August 15 following complications from a series of strokes. He was 83.
Former Rockville Councilmember Beryl L. Feinberg has died following a four-month battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman. Ashman announced Feinberg’s passing Monday morning, saying she died Sunday night with her husband, Ed, and son, Jeremy, at her side.
Gene “Sonny” Raymond Lowery, a longtime Montgomery County resident and devoted member of the local baseball community, passed away May 16, 2026 at WVU Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was 85.
The Roberto Clemente Middle School community in Germantown is mourning the loss of longtime Building Service employee Charles “Charlie” Ellison Jr., a familiar and deeply respected presence at the school for decades. Ellison passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at his home in Germantown. He was 70 years old.
Donna Rae Garff Marriott, a longtime Bethesda resident and the wife of Marriott International Chairman Emeritus J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., has passed away. Bethesda-based Marriott International announced that Donna Marriott died peacefully on December 30, 2025, at her Bethesda home, surrounded by loved ones. She was 90.
The Stained Glass Pub community is grieving the loss of longtime team member Sherri Fisher, who passed away on December 3, 2025, surrounded by her family. The restaurant announced her passing in an emotional message, calling Sherri “truly irreplaceable” and “more than a team member — she was family.”
Mark Pappas, the beloved founder of Pappas Restaurants and a fixture of Maryland’s dining community for more than half a century, has passed away at the age of 93. The restaurant’s social media page announced that he died peacefully over the weekend, surrounded by loved ones.
Kyriakos Savvas “Jerry” Tselios, a former co-owner of the longtime Wheaton staple Ferdinand’s Restaurant and a cherished member of the local Greek community, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025. He was 77.
The Montgomery County and greater Washington, D.C. restaurant community is mourning the sudden loss of Maurizio Luise, the Director of Operations for Cava Mezze, who passed away unexpectedly just after midnight on November 8, 2025. He was 46 years old. A fundraiser has been created to help his wife and children.
Former National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Paul Tagliabue died Friday morning at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, his family announced and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Tagliabue, who was a longtime resident of Montgomery County, was 84 years old.