COLLEAGUES AND CONFIDANTS:
Those closest to McCain — in politics, sports and personal life — remember a man they “revered and respected.”
After a grueling fight with brain cancer, Sen. John McCain died on Saturday.
The Arizona Republic talked with politicians, celebrities, athletes and friends of McCain about their favorite memories with him.
Many celebrated McCain’s leadership, sense of humor and deep historical knowledge.
See their full responses below:
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey
“John McCain is one American who will never be forgotten.He was a giant. An icon. An American hero. But here at home, we were most proud to call him a fellow Arizonan. Like so many of us, he was not born here, but his spirit, service and fierce independence shaped the state with which he became synonymous ...
“John McCain fought for America every day — from the Navy through Vietnam to the U.S. Senate. He fought for what he thought was right, even when it wasn’t popular. His dogged patriotism and passion for country made him an inspiration, and a model, for all of us.
“John McCain was about more than politics. He brought us above partisanship and challenged us to be great.
“He once told us, ‘We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.’
“May his life and legacy continue to inspire us to build a future for this country, and a history for this country, that would make John McCain proud.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake
“The world has lost a hero and a statesman. Cindy and the McCain family have lost a loving husband and father. I have lost a wonderful friend.”
Arizona’s U.S. congressmen
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) wrote on Twitter, “Senator John McCain led a meaningful and full life. He served his country and his family with honor and respect. He will always be remembered for a life well lived.”
“Arizona will never be the same. @SenJohnMcCain may you rest in peace, and may comfort come to your family - and to all of us who will grieve your loss to our great country. A statesmen, a patriot, our Arizona hero,” wrote Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) on Twitter.
“John McCain was one of Arizona’s greatest Senators, one of our country’s finest statesmen, and an American hero who risked his life to defend this great nation. He loved this state, and he loved this country. I pray that God comforts Cindy and the entire McCain family. My heart is with them, and Arizona grieves with them,” wrote Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) on Twitter.
“John McCain’s life was one of service and sacrifice. He will always be remembered for his love of country. My thoughts and prayers are with Senator McCain’s family and loved ones,” wrote Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.) in a statement.
“John McCain is a national hero. From Vietnam to the halls of Congress, Senator McCain served our country his entire life. In the way he lived, he set an example of courage, honor, and love of country that will inspire young Americans for generations to come,” Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said in a statement.
“Joyce and I want to share our most sincere condolences and share our prayers with @SenJohnMcCain’s family. Senator McCain is a true American patriot, who has served the United States and Arizona as a leader and a fighter. All of Arizona mourns the loss of this great man,” tweeted Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.).
Arizona State University President Michael Crow
“Sen. McCain had an extraordinary impact on this university, the state of Arizona, our nation and the world. He represented the best of America, and his passing leaves a void that will not easily be filled.
“It’s been said many times before, but bears repeating now: Sen. McCain is a true American hero. He dedicated his life to serving this great nation, never wavering in his belief in the inherent strength and goodness of America and its promise. He believed that our greatest assets could be found in the most unlikely places, and that the values that unite us as Americans are far greater than that which divides us.”
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals player
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald wrote an open letter in tribute to Sen. John McCain that Sports Illustrated published Christmas morning.
“I’ll wish him a Merry Christmas today, and I pray he lives another 20 years. I know this: As soon as my boys are of age, I’ll tell them stories about the quality of the man I’ve gotten to know. I’ll tell them: Sen. John McCain will be revered and respected for as long as the United States of America has a place in this world, and his legacy will outlive us all.”
Jan Brewer, former Arizona governor
“Our careers mirrored each other. In 1982, I went to the House of Representatives (at the state Capitol) and he went to the House in Congress.”
That continued in 1986, when each moved to the Senate: Brewer in Arizona and McCain in Washington D.C.
Brewer said one of her most prominent memories of McCain was the 2008 GOP convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“Being able to nominate him for president of the United States. That was very, very special to me.”
She said McCain’s “great sense of humor” kept her laughing, and she marveled at his great recall.
“He remembers people’s names, he remembers details, he makes it very colorful.”
Jerry Colangelo, sports magnate
“Our relationship went back a lot of years, when he was first breaking into politics and Congress. And he was a young energetic guy who, in my opinion, had an incredible resume in terms of his naval career, his prisoner of war experience, and all that took place. And so, to me, he was a special guy. A very special guy. And a friend. And someone who really deserved an awful lot of respect for what he had given his country.
“I thought he was a great leader. I’ve served on committees with him, and served on his campaign committees a number of times. I watched him operate both here in the state and in Washington, D.C., and he was a real pro. He was someone that truly loved Arizona and all Arizonans. And I think he really represented us the way you want to be represented.
“He was also a great sports fan. He loved coming to Suns games and sitting on the court. But what stands out more than anything else is the World Series in 2001, and his involvement. He gave us a lot of help in some of the things we were trying to do to put on a great show. The flyovers that we had were a big deal, both here and in New York. And John did a lot to make that happen. He was there supporting us all the way. He loved his local teams, especially the Suns and the Diamondbacks, and for that I was very grateful.”
Fife Symington, former Arizona governor
“We were flying in the State King Air and on final approach to the Tucson airport when we were almost inverted, very close to the ground, by a dust devil. It looked as if a crash was imminent. With a full plane as an audience, John bellowed with laughter and yelled, ‘We’re going to die, we’re going to die!’ with this huge smile on his face! Most everyone onboard turned various shades of purple but John was fearless, loving every moment of it.
“I was in his Senate office one day and he was sitting behind his desk reading a huge book. Now most people viewed John as peripatetic, restless, ever the fighter pilot on the move. But here he was, deep into a historical biography while lots of stuff was going on around him. I soon discovered that he remembered just about everything he read and thathe must have had a near photographic memory ... at least for history.
“I will miss his steadfast friendship. When I went through my troubles, John, unlike so many others, stood firm in his support and friendship. I was involved early in his first campaign; we ran statewide together and we vanquished many tough opponents along the way. My memories will always be vivid about this very unique and courageous son of the Republic.”
John Dowd, McCain’s attorney during the Keating Five scandal
“After the Keating Five hearings, we were in Los Angeles, he told me that he and Cindy were adopting a new child, Bridget. He said it was a new experience for them in many ways and wanted to know what it was like particularly with a child of color. I told him they would get a lot of second takes but her color would not be a factor in his love for her. You find out fast we are all the same. I told him adoption was a two-way street and he was being adopted. He was very moved. I told him the biggest challenge was trust, so it was essential that Bridget knew at the earliest age that she was adopted. I recommended a tremendous and very funny book called ‘Why Was I Adopted?’ I told him he was very lucky to have the love and admiration of Bridget.
“He was a full plate and a pain in the ass but I loved his desire to inspire and encourage others,through his writings, to love this country and to be great citizens.”
Former U.S. Sen. Dennis DeConcini
Fresh off a visit to Vietnam while he was still serving as senator, DeConcini was on local radio talking about an idea that came up on the trip: Creating an international 12-person team to travel to Vietnam and search for soldiers still missing in action.
“I was on the radio, and then-Congressman McCain called in, or maybe the host called McCain,” DeConcini said. “He was extremely positive about what I was doing. It was kind of surprising.”
Surprising because the two, of different political parties and different views, clashed often. But McCain, he learned, spoke his mind regardless of where the chips fell. DeConcini said he saw that in McCain’s criticism of President Donald Trump.
“He stood his ground. That was very courageous but very strange,” DeConcini said. “I know the price Jeff Flake and John McCain are paying, anyone who stands up to the president of their own party.”
U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva
“We were both out promoting the idea of doing something a couple years ago, something around immigration reform, and we were at a forum together. That was not popular with some of his constituents ... the fact that he would stand there with me, who was considered the polar opposite of John on that issue, and there we were agreeing on something. It’s memorable to me that he shared the stage.
“He was direct and I appreciated that more than anything else. Some people are so phony about what they’re going to do or not do, and to get to work with or debate with someone who gives you the straight answer is refreshing in these times.
“When Mo Udall was in the hospital, the Parkinson’s had ravaged him, and John McCain would go visit him and spend lengthy times, read to him and be there with Mo. You had two icons from the state of Arizona, two individuals that people might think are polar opposites in politics, and there he was to visit his friend, to read to and be with him all the way up to the end. I think people don’t know that.
“That strength and that willpower that John had that made him both a great ally when he’s on your side and a formidable foe when he’s not, and I think that’s really important to realize thathe’s not just a potted plant that got watered by donors; he did what he did because he was driven by that motivation. He did it because he’s driven by those values, and you shouldn’t ignore that. He came from a school of politics where Arizona has had its icons: Goldwater, Udalls. ... From the beginning, our state has produced national leadership and McCain is in that echelon of historic national leaders that the state of Arizona produced. That’s a pretty big deal.”
Derrick Hall, Diamondbacks president and CEO
“John has always been a great friend of the D-backs and probably our biggest fan. Every game he came to he would ask me about minor-leaguers at all levels by name because he followed us so closely. This is a man that stayed up past midnight every night in Washington D.C. to watch our games.
“Just last spring, we had John and Tommy Lasorda in our box in spring training. I have never heard such passionate debate between two legends like this, who spent innings arguing and laughing over baseball and politics.
“I also recall him walking by my office a few months ago, where I was visiting with Jaime Jarrín, (Spanish-language broadcaster for the Dodgers). I stepped out to greet John who went on and on about how he hates the Dodgers and doesn’t enjoy beating any team more. He then sees Jaime and pats him on the back and says, ‘Hello Jaime. Thanks for all you do for your fan base and all the joy you bring them every night.’
“I will miss him sitting with us at Chase Field and being the loudest cheerleader in the stands.”
Former Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez
“Senator McCain was not only a great man and patriot, but a great D-backs fan and I am proud to consider him a dear friend,” said former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez. “We always knew we could count on him to root us on — from the ballpark, from his home and from all the way across the country. On behalf of my entire family, our thoughts and prayers are with Cindy and his family and we are very grateful for all that he did on behalf of his country.”
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich
“From the time I was a young intern in his congressional office, to being one of the first people to publicly speak up and support me in my 2014 primary, John McCain was a class act and a man of conviction. A true legend.”
Brad Vynalek, partner at Quarles & Brady
“The semester I interned in Sen. McCain’s D.C. office was nothing short of amazing. My all-time favorite memory was shadowing the senator for a day and going to the Senate floor to witness him battle it out to secure campaign finance reform. As a law student at the time, it was simply a dream come true to see lawmaking in action by one of our living legends.
“Then, when I was graduating law school, it was a dream come true. I was able to convince the great senator to serve as our commencement speaker and I was one of our student commencement speakers; seriously, it could not have been any cooler than being on stage with the ‘maverick.’
“Before we stepped onto the stage, Sen. McCain congratulated me in front of my entire law school class on finally earning ‘work release from prison’ and (said) that he was looking forward to me possibly being a productive citizen in the future.
“I think that was his way of saying congrats, while reminding me to walk humbly at all times and ensure that service is always above self (lessons that I still hold dear to this day).
“I sent the picture because it reminds of what remarkable life-changing impacts leaders like Sen. McCain have on students. I suspect it is literally one of just hundreds of intern pictures with Sen. McCain, but it represents everything he is about: making the world a better and safer place for all to thrive — the consummate diplomat, ambassador, and mentor. Suffice it to say that my life changed forever in a phenomenal way for just being able to shadow the senator for a day. It is an honor to be associated with him.
“The funny story here is that when Sen. McCain’s team interviewed me for the job, I had really long hair and a ponytail. I know it was a risk and that I may not get the intern job. But, during the interview, I told his team that if they hired me, the ponytail would go. Later, they told me that was the kind of candor the senator liked, and they hired me. I rocked the ponytail until the day before I flew to D.C. to work for the senator.
“My favorite memory of his presidential campaign was seeing perhaps the most honest, thoughtful, and graceful concession speech of all time, precisely the kind of presentation that heals divides.
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker
“Senator McCain became a friend over the years. I always enjoyed seeing him in Washington or at Phoenix Suns games.
“He had a great sense of humor and a passion for doing what was right. He was and is a role model for me and anyone who ever spent time with him.
“We will not forget his shining example of patriotism based on the ideals of freedom and equality for all and global leadership by the United States in support of those ideals.
“We, like all Americans, mourn the loss of Senator McCain and extend our condolences to the entire McCain family, including John’s son, American Airlines Captain Doug McCain.”
Arizona House Speaker J.D. Mesnard
“Arizona has lost a relentless warrior, our nation has lost a steadfast defender, and the world has lost a beacon of democracy.
“Senator John McCain fiercely fought to protect and expand freedom around the globe, and his legacy is a lifetime of courage and public service that will continue to inspire generations of leaders to come.”
Arizona Democratic Party Chair Felecia Rotellini
“He will be remembered as a statesman, a friend to all and a generous humanitarian. John McCain’s voice in Washington and his conduct fully exemplified what it means to be a true Arizonan.
“John McCain has played a major role in our nation’s and state’s histories. Many of us vividly remember his extended years in captivity — badly beaten and tortured by our enemies — and how he demonstrated courage and leadership by never breaking. His service and dedication to our state, his humor and love of sports will be missed. During his decades of holding public office, McCain has represented Arizona on a national and international level with sophistication, and even though we’ve often disagreed with him politically, Arizona Democrats have always respected his independent streak and willingness to fight for election reform, veterans’ rights and human rights.”
Phoenix City Council
Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams wrote on Twitter that McCain “Was a tireless servant of our country, state and city—and for that, I’m grateful.”
Two councilmen — Sal DiCiccio and Jim Waring — previously worked for the senator.
In an interview following McCain’s death, Waring said he hopes people will remember the senator not for his bills or campaigns, but for the motto he lived by: “Never quit.”
“One thing about him that I hope to teach my kids is that he fought for things he believed in and never quit. That is something to be admired in anyone that has those qualities,” Waring said.
Councilwoman Debra Stark said McCain was one of the first people to call and congratulate her after she won her council race.
“When I think about Sen. McCain, he really reflects Arizona: An independent thinker, rugged, a love for country — he’s just a great man,” Stark said.