Images: George Pradel through the years
Longtime Naperville Mayor George Pradel died Tuesday, one day shy of his 81st birthday. A lifelong resident of Naperville, he was a Naperville police officer from 1966 to 1995 and became well-known locally as the department's "Officer Friendly." He served as mayor from 1995-2015.
Naperville Mayor George Pradel, photographed in 2011. Pradel died Tuesday, one day short of his 81st birthday.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel takes part in the 2008 Naperville Reads campaign with Neuqua Valley wresting team members from left, Mike Zozulia, Adam Stine, Alex Zozulia, Dan Burk and PJ Serio in Naperville.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel gets a kiss on the head from city council member Robert Fieseler during the final council meeting for both of them. Pradel, Naperville's longest-serving mayor, retired after 20 years leading the city, while Fieseler had been a city council member for eight years and didn't run for re-election.
Marie Wilson/mwilson@dailyherald.com
Naperville Mayor George Pradel is awarded the first star in its Wall of Fame by owner of Kidz Kabaret Kandiss Hernandez. "This is awesome," said the mayor. "It makes me feel good that kids know I'm happy for their development of life through the arts at Kidz Kabaret"
BEV HORNE/bhorne@dailyherald.com, 2009
Naperville Mayor George Pradel listens to a resident address the Naperville City Council. At left is Douglas Krieger, city manager.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel, center, leads the parents and the children New Year countdown at DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel tests out equipment at the Edward Hospital fitness center in 2008 with the help of personal trainer Mike Malczewski and then-hospital CEO Pam Davis.
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Naperville Mayor George Pradel prepares for his annual state of the city address in 2009.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville's Mayor George Pradel serves up his Steak Albert to Kane County Board member Bonnie Kunkel with a big smile at the 50 Men Who Can Cook fundraiser in Batavia in 2009.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Naperville Mayor George Pradel, left, and figure skater Evan Lysacek pose with the key to the city in 2009.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel returns to city hall for the first time following a mild heart attack in 2010.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel and his friend Betty Wehrli pose while Hollywood legend Raquel Welch signs the mayor's copy of her book "Beyond the Cleavage" at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville in 2010.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel at a transportation board meeting in 2010.
Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, right, and Mayor George Pradel in 2010.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel in his village hall office in 2011.
Daily Herald File Photo
Naperville Mayor George Pradel unveils the starting banner for the first marathon to be run in Naperville in many years in 2013.
Daily Herald File Photo
Mayor George Pradel kicks off The Step Up for Autism walk/run in 2013 to benefit Little Friends Inc.
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Naperville Mayor-elect Steve Chirico is congratulated by outgoing Mayor George Pradel during an election night party at Rosebud Italian restaurant in Naperville in 2015.
Daily Herald File Photo
Former Naperville Mayor George Pradel walks off the city council platform after receiving an honorary golden gavel from new Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico for his service to the community at Chirico's inauguration in the city council chambers in 2015.
Daily Herald File Photo
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