Cardinal Francis George. Photo by Adam Bielawski

Cardinal Francis George, who led the Chicago Archdiocese for 17 years, is being remembered as a prayerful man with deep concerns for the poor and a tenacity to overcome obstacles in his way.

“He was a great man, great priest, a leader, and a great friend,” said Monsignor Michael M. Boland, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities, one of the largest social service agencies in the Midwest and one of the largest Catholic charity organizations in the nation. “He will be missed very much.”

Boland said he worked with Cardinal George often during the leader’s 17 years at the helm of the archdiocese. He noted that the cardinal was always very supportive of Catholic Charities.

The agency’s mission hit home with George as he had great compassion for the indigent, Boland said.

“He was supportive and had great concern for people who were poor,” Boland said. “He always tried to provide dignity and serve those in need.”

Cardinal George, 78, died Friday at his residence. He had battled cancer for years.

During his nearly two decades leading the archdiocese, Cardinal George kept a busy schedule, traveling to events throughout the region.

“The cardinal visited every corner of the archdiocese, talking with the faithful and bringing kindness to every interaction,” said Archbishop Blase J. Cupich, who took over leadership of the archdiocese from the ailing George last year. “He pursued an overfull schedule – always choosing the church over his own comfort and the people over his own needs.”

The Rev. William T. Corcoran, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Orland Hills, said Cardinal George did a wealth of good for area churches..

“He shepherded the archdiocese well in many ways over 17 years,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran, who has been pastor at St. Elizabeth Seton for 22 months, said he dealt with Cardinal George regularly in his previous post at St. Linus Parish in Oak Lawn. He said he dealt with George on everything from fire insurance to new buildings.

The cardinal was at St. Linus eight times during Corcoran’s 12 years there.

“He was always good to stay after a program and meet and visit with people,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran said Cardinal George liked a good joke and loved to laugh.

“He had a genuine sense of humor. You could engage him and tease him and he would laugh readily,” Corcoran said. “He did not smile easily, but he had a genuinely great sense of humor.”

Corcoran likened George to a college professor who even offers constructive criticism to A+ students.

“He would say do this or do that,” Corcoran said. “He would push people to do their best.”

George grew up in Chicago, but then spent time in Africa, Asia and around the world. When he was ordained a bishop, he first served in Yakima and then in Portland, Ore. before coming back to his hometown.

“He was away so long he was able to provide an outsider’s perspective on things,” Corcoran said. “He was not here forever. He brought a definite skill set to his ministry.”

Bishop George Rassas, vicar for Vicariate I, which covers northwest Cook County and Lake County,

lived with Cardinal George and worked with him for 17 years.

“He was undoubtedly one of the leaders of the church,” Rassas said. “He had a great intellect. He was a tireless worker. I saw the amount of work he did and he was always very gracious.”

Rassas said Cardinal George was a font of knowledge and highly respected by church leaders.

He said most people don’t realize how much George suffered over the years.

“Especially, the last few years,” Rassas said, “but he would never complain. He would go places and always be the last to leave.”

Rassas said he never heard the cardinal speak in anger to anyone.

“I have great respect for him,” Rassas said. “He was a great mentor and a good friend.”

State political leaders also expressed their sympathies at the cardinal’s death.

“Francis Cardinal George was the spiritual leader of millions of Catholics in and around Chicago and touched the lives of countless others through the church’s schools, pastoral care and social services,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner. “He shepherded the church through some of its most trying times, but leaves behind a strong community of faith that has tremendous positive impact on the people of Illinois, regardless of their creed. Diana and I pray that he rest in eternal peace.”

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs recalled Cardinal George being chosen to lead the Chicago Archdiocese nearly 20 years ago.

“A native of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George was installed as the archbishop of Chicago in May of 1997,” Durkin said. “At the time, he asked us to think of him as ‘Francis, your neighbor.’ He proved to be an extraordinary neighbor to the 2.3 million Catholics in the Chicago Archdiocese. He will be sorely missed.”

Cardinal George was a strong voice in the church on many issues, Archbishop Cupich said.

“When, for example, the church struggled with the grave sin of clerical sexual abuse, he stood strong among his fellow bishops and insisted that zero tolerance was the only course consistent with our beliefs,” Cupich said.

The current archbishop said his predecessor was a portrait of courage.

“Most recently, we saw his bravery firsthand as he faced the increasing challenges brought about by cancer,” Cupich said. “Let us heed his example and be a little more brave, a little more steadfast and a lot more loving.

“This is the surest way to honor his life and celebrate his return to the presence of God.”