Visitation for Mayor A. George Pradel / 10AM-6PM Sept. 8 & 9 at City Hall
A. George Pradel, Naperville’s top cheerleader and longest-serving Mayor, passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 80 surrounded by his three children, George, Carol and Gary. Pradel served as Mayor from 1995 to 2015.
Pradel served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a longtime member of the Naperville Police Department where he earned the nickname “Officer Friendly.”
Times for visitation for Mayor A. George Pradel will be 10AM to 6PM Sat., September 8 and Sun., September 9, 2018, at Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 60540.
Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mayor Pradel’s memory may be made to: The Arthur Ray Foundation, 902 Sumter Ct., Naperville, IL 60540, (630) 729-3182, www.arthurray.org.
The Arthur Ray Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The ongoing goal of the Arthur Ray Foundation is to help organizations like Safety Town of Naperville, Naperville Responds for our Veterans, Little Friends, Inc., and many others that help children and adults using art and technology. All donated funds will be distributed to Mayor Pradel’s favorite local charities.
Arrangements are being made by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
Statement by Naperville City Manager Doug Krieger
“The entire City of Naperville mourns today over the loss of Mayor Emeritus A. George Pradel. George’s enthusiasm for this City and love for its residents was second only to the love for his family – in fact, it was the Pradel family’s support for him that allowed George to devote so much of his life to Naperville.
“George was the kind of man who knew everyone’s name and, when he saw you, no matter how busy he was, he’d stop and see how you were doing. Everyone was equal in George’s eyes – you were a cherished member of his extended Naperville family, and from the first time he met you, you were a friend.
“We grieve the loss of George but are thankful that his time spent as a police officer, our Mayor and our first Mayor Emeritus changed Naperville forever. I am humbled and grateful that I could call this man my friend, and I join the many who are sending their sympathy to the entire Pradel family today.”
Statement by Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico
“George Pradel was the kind of community-focused individual that blesses a town once in a lifetime. His name will forever be remembered in our City, and when people think of him, they will remember an individual who quietly and humbly gave of himself through his 29 years as a police officer and then for two decades as our longest-serving Mayor.
“A cheerleader and champion to all, George’s legacy will live on through the city he helped shape. As the founder of Safety Town, we owe generations of our children’s safety to this, his crowning achievement. This wonderful man will not be forgotten.
“On behalf of the City Council, the City of Naperville and my wife Julie and our entire family, we send our deepest condolences to the Pradel family on the loss of George.”
As the most photographed person featured in this publication over the last 17 years, we best remember George Pradel by some of the images below in no particular order.
