Hundreds gather to pay respects to Naperville’s former mayor
Naperville Mayor Emeritus George Pradel’s genuine enthusiasm, easy kindness, big smile and unparalleled ability to make anyone feel like a friend touched the lives of too many people to count.
His reach was apparent Saturday as a steady crowd of people waited in line at the Naperville Municipal Center to greet Pradel’s family and pay their respects to Naperville’s longestserving mayor as he laid in state on the first day of a twoday public visitation.
Pradel died of cancer Tuesday at the age of 80. He was mayor of Naperville from 1995 to 2015.
Flowers began arriving at the municipal center at 7 a.m. Saturday. Vans continued to drop off displays throughout the afternoon, filling the building’s lobby as lines of people snaked from city council chambers, where Pradel’s casket was placed, out into the lobby.
At 10 a.m., when the doors opened, the line was so long that it went down a flight of stairs and out the door of the building’s lower level. As young and old, residents and nonresidents alike waited in line, stories of Pradel — who served with the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, as a Naperville police officer for 29 years, as Naperville’s mayor for 20 years and as mayor emeritus for three years — were exchanged, many evoking as many smiles or laughs as tears.
“He always came to my children’s schools, he even came to my daughter’s Girl Scout initiation. He was everywhere,” Naperville resident Julie Rayburn said. “He had so much energy, and the kids just loved him.”
A slideshow with pictures and video clips from Pradel’s life — showing him as a member of the Naperville Police Department, working at Naperville’s Safety Town, dancing with kids and by himself among a crowd of people, posing with his children and his late wife, Pat, and even donning a wig — played on loop in council chambers.
Honor guard members stood on both ends of Pradel’s casket as his children George, Carol and Gary received visitors on the dais.
Pradel was “a delight” and always had a positive and uplifting attitude, said Terri Wintermute, a Plainfield resident and former Will County Board member.
“George was vivacious and had a profound ability for remembering names. He made everybody feel special,” Wintermute said. “He let people know Naperville was a special place for amazing people.”
Pradel’s memorial card embodied that. The yellow card featured a photo of Pradel on the front and on the back was written, “You are my friend who loves the City of Naperville,” followed by his signature, the words Mayor, “Officer Friendly” and “You’ve got a friend in me” and a smiley face.
Pradel’s visitation was open until 6 p.m. Saturday and will be held again from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The funeral and interment are private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Pradel’s memory to The Arthur Ray Foundation, www.arthurray.org, which will distribute the money to the mayor’s favorite charities, including Naperville Safety Town, Naperville Responds for Veterans, Loaves & Fishes Community Services and Little Friends Inc.