Last month saw the passing of Naperville’s beloved Mayor Emertius, A. George Pradel. My first encounter with the mayor was two decades ago when my oldest daughter participated in the Labor Day Parade. There was George out in front of a chaotic group of recent Safety Town graduates riding their big wheels down Mill Street. The look of complete joy on his face is something I will never forget.
Over the years I was blessed with several opportunities to work with him on projects during my time at KidsMatter, the Collaborative Youth Team, and more recently NCTV17.
Here are three lessons he taught by example:
1. Be friendly. While he was known as Officer Friendly, his warmth extended far beyond his role as a police officer. Whether at a business open house or a town festival, George greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word. He made you feel like part of the family – whether you grew up on one of Naperville’s oldest farms or had recently immigrated to America. With his signature, “Welcome to Naperville” he was a symbol of friendship for our town.
2. Cheerleaders are important. As my daughter has told me on a few occasions, “Sometimes I just need you to be my cheerleader; not my coach.” George understood this. While he coached many people during his time as a police officer and mayor, he was always a cheerleader. An ambassador for all things Naperville his enthusiasm and positive support encouraged those around him to do their best so no matter the outcome they felt appreciated.
3. Show up. George epitomized Woody Allen’s saying, “Showing up is 80% of life.” If you search the station’s website, you’ll find hundreds of news stories chronicling the nonstop activities of Mayor Pradel. He was everywhere. Attending events to raise money for local nonprofits, ringing in the New Year with residents at the Carillon, touring elementary students around the municipal center to teach them about Naperville’s government. NCTV17 covered him at Chamber Ribbon Cuttings (he loved his big scissors), his annual prayer breakfast and you couldn’t miss his smiling presence during every parade live telecast. As the mayor of our town, George was always present and accounted for.
So while he may be gone, his legacy is sewn right into the very fabric of our community. No one feels this loss more than the Pradel family, so it is with great thanks to Carol, Gary and George for giving the station permission to document and share the city’s final goodbye to this esteemed public servant.
RIP Mayor Pradel, you will be missed but never forgotten.
