As the door opens on the new year, we look back in fond remembrance at those Harvard residents, friends, and relatives we lost in 2008. Each in his or her own special way added to the fabric of life here, by being good neighbors, by their volunteerism, or by holding a special place in someone’s heart:

David P. Bartlett, 77, a longtime Harvard resident with a 20-year career as a mechanic at Polaroid Corp. in Waltham.

Ursula H. Blanc, 66, a former Harvard resident who worked as a research chemist, a chemistry teacher, a patent searcher, and patent translator.

Audrey Broderick, 84, an avid gardener and mother of a Harvard woman.

William H. Brown, 81, a World War II veteran who owned and operated the former Breezy Acres dairy farm in Lunenburg, and was the brother of a Harvard woman.

Duane L. Closs, 86, a World War II veteran who was the father of a Harvard man.

David Crispen, 90, of Bolton, husband of Jean, who was the school secretary at Bromfield for many years.

Juliette P. Dalton, 90, a former employee of the Gillette Company, a hospital volunteer, and the mother of a Still River man.

Dianne M. Dickson, 61, a former Harvard resident who spent many years singing and directing for the Sweet Adelines, and was a member of the Royal River Chorus in Maine.

Charlotte “Chick” Doe, 86, a longtime resident, teacher, and co-owner of Doe Orchards.

Gary Fernandez, 56, Bromfield guidance counselor, and faculty member of the international education programs at Framingham State College.

Lawrence Elgin Glendenin, 90, a scientist who, with two associates, discovered the radioactive element promethium, element 61 on the periodic table of elements. He was father of a Harvard woman.

Evelyn Adams Hammershaimb., 88, supporter of Harvard organizations and mother of a Harvard woman.

Robert W. Harley, 82, a longtime resident with a career in electrical engineering, who was active in Harvard Boy Scouts for 31 years.

Herman Karl Hasenstein Jr., 78, a Navy veteran, longtime local football official, and father of a Harvard woman.

Hazel H. Hewson, 83, a longtime resident and an active supporter of Loaves & Fishes.

Katy Holland, 79, a longtime resident and outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed skiing, motorcycle riding and travel, and after her retirement from a long career at Digital Equipment Corp., even tried out skydiving. She was the mother of a Harvard woman.

Al Hunter, 82, a World War II veteran, former executive vice president of Buster Brown textiles, associate professor at Savannah State University, and father of a Harvard woman.

Judy Kinney Joslin, 63, a mail carrier and recycling center volunteer who enjoyed gardening, reading, singing, and her six grandchildren.

Bill Kaegebein, 85, Navy veteran with a career in agricultural chemical sales, who was active in his church, a volunteer for a number of organizations, and the father of a Harvard woman.

Marion S. Kaegebein, 82, a teacher from New York who was active in her church as a choir member, youth group leader, and more, and was the mother of a Harvard woman.

Anthony J. Kowalcek, 97, an avid golfer and Red Sox fan, and brother of a Harvard woman.

Sally Latimer, 87, a social worker, member of the Corpus Christi Guild, PTA member, Sunday school teacher, and mother of a Harvard man.

Marie K. Lawton, 96, a longtime resident who was active in the Garden Club, the Woman’s Club, and the Federated Church of Ayer.

Ann Levison, 78, longtime Harvard resident, former editor of the Harvard Post, and a creative and prolific writer.

Virginia M. Locke, former longtime resident who served as director and head teacher at the Village Nursery School for more than 20 years.

Lawrence Dean Lorah, 73, a Concord resident active in civic affairs, and a founding member of that town’s Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts. He was the father of a Harvard woman.

Emma “Chic” Lozier, 79, longtime resident, former actress and singer, and sister of a Harvard woman.

Claudette M. Marcoux, 73, a lifelong resident of Fitchburg and mother of a Harvard woman.

Eugene R. Marteney, 74, an electrical engineer and musician who, with his wife, founded the Harvard Fourth of July festival.

John F. McQuilkin, 89, a World War II veteran, civil engineer for the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the father of a Harvard woman.

Roy J. Moffa, 65, a longtime Harvard resident who was a former electrical engineer and executive in well-known companies throughout New England, and was a passionate supporter of the Harvard Public Library.

Edgar F. Perkins, 93, a longtime resident who served as a school custodian and cemetery superintendent for many years.

Suzanne M. Powderly, 61, longtime resident and active member of St. Theresa’s Parish, who was also a member of the Garden Club and the Woman’s Club, and served on the Finance Committee and as a board member for the Nashoba Community Hospital Auxiliary.

Faith Reed, 79, a former resident whose family once owned the General Store.

Christopher A. Reusch, 16, high school athlete, grandson and nephew of Harvard residents

Jerome Rooney, 83, a master craftsman who specialized in making early American furniture and spinning wheels; father of a Harvard man.

Richard Leo Roussel, 81, a former Harvard resident who was a retired chef, and the father of a Harvard woman.

Richard H. Russell, 86, former resident, a cryptologist during World War II, a teacher, and former trustee for both Fruitlands Museum and the Harvard Public Library.

Norman B. Schmidt, 90, a longtime resident who worked as a special agent in the FBI’s Boston office, and later ran an ice cream business in town for many years.

Joseph Bradbury Shaw, 72, a lifelong resident and former Harvard police officer; owner of J.B. Shaw Excavating Co.

Ann c. (Hinds_ Simeone, 77, former secretary to Acton selectmen, mother of Harvard man.

Kathy Stamski, 60, former executive director of Loaves & Fishes, and a social activist who served as a Peace Corps volunteer.

William Hearn Sullivan, 63, a former Harvard resident renowned for restoring historic buildings.

Dave Swain, 76, former Harvard water commissioner and volunteer at Loaves & Fishes.

Noah Thompson, 2, beloved son of Marc Thompson and Lisa Rosen.

Jeffry A. Timmons, 66, a former Harvard resident who was an entrepreneurship professor at Babson College; noted by Inc. magazine as “The Johnny Appleseed of entrepreneurship education.”

Ann D. Turner, 109, a longtime resident who was an accomplished gardener and bridge player, and co-founder of Turner-Pieters-Hazel Real Estate.

Charlanne Van Wormer, 71, cofounder of Loaves & Fishes, and a volunteer active in Harvard Help, the Council on Aging, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ayer, and more.

Ruth Sullivan Wrangham, 86, a former longtime Harvard resident who relocated to Maine in the early 1990s.

Barbara A. Wright, 70, a psychologist and mother of a Harvard woman.