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Remembering Fr. Close
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 by Joe Hallissey
Please leave your tribute or memory of Fr. Close below.
Tagged: Fr. Close, tribute Posted in Tribute
33 Responses to Remembering Fr. Close
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Mercy Home for Boys & Girls is a children's charity dedicated to providing a solution for at-risk children in Chicago, Illinois. Help pave the way to a brighter future for troubled children and teens in Chicago.
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Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
1140 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago , IL , 60607 If you are a child in need or to refer a child, |
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls is a 501(c)(3), licensed child care institution and licensed child welfare agency.
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Father Close worked hard for the children at Mercy Homes. He was patient with the children. He waited for them to tell him aboout their painful life. He thought of ways to helping children by expanding Mercy Homes to include girls etc. He will be missed put I know he is with GOD.
May Fr. Jim’s spirit continue to inspire and be a beacon to those who continue his work in caring for the boys and girls at Mercy Home. These young people will become our future leaders and their paths paved and enlightened by a caring priest and father. May he rest in peace.
I only knew Fr. Close for a short time, always through the mails. I began donating to the Mercy Home, and shortly after, Fr. Close acknowledged by thank you letters as does Fr. Scott. I asked him to pray for my wife, Patricia, who had cancer, and eventually Dementia. Father wrote and told me he was praying for her, which I thought was very kind and thoughtful. Father asked how she was doing while responding to receipt of my donations. He was very thoughtful, a quality of a very passionate and considerate man. The last I heard from him was when he was being replaced by Fr. Scott. I could almost detect a very sad man when he was going to leave Mercy Home, his love. When I heard of his death, it was as if I knew him all my life. He will always be remembered.
Before all our memories of these last four weeks begin to fade, I offer this little bit of gratitude to all of you who in some way have taken a moment of so to express your remembrances of Jim.
All of the tributes you have made and are making even yet, fill my heart. Jim was the heart of our little family in Chicago. As you can understand, it’s very difficult to let him go. The Closes thank you for your support and respect for Jim’s efforts to follow God’s will in his life. May his example lead each of us to let more of God into our own lives.
U know I been down in the past months or so. Now, just not foundin out that one of a legends had past. Im still shock of Father Close pass away. Father Close is a good man, good lister, and a good father to Mercy Home For Boys And Girls. Father Close will never be fogotton and his name will live for ever. Miss u Father Close and thank u for doing wat rite for the kids to get there life back on track again…..
Darnell M
It was an honor to work for Mercy Home For Boys & Girls. Fr. Close used his life to ensure that any child who wanted to come for help could. He has left the organization with a firm secure foundation. Bless your soul Fr. Close.
Father Close was a man of great accomplishment and yet remained humble. He came from a strong and loyal Catholic family, and did all he could to give support to those among us who were not similarly blessed. He understood so well people’s problems, needs and ambitions that one must hope, for all our sakes, that his shoes can be filled. He was an incarnation of compassion and so serves as a model for us all.
Father Close was a man of great accomplishment and yet remained humble. He came from a strong and loyal Catholic family, and did all he could to give support to those among us who were not similary blessed. He understood so well people’s problems, needs and ambitions that one must hope, for all our sakes, that his shoes can be filled. He was an incarnation of compassion and so serves as a model for us all.
Father Jim taught me and later baptized me. Some years after, he baptized my son Bryan. In his presence, my family felt God’s grace. I sat with his mother as she cried when Franz Bentler played her familiar Galway song. We are all better people because of our association with Father Jim.
” There are those in a lifetime, for whom we deeply care. Not so very many. They simply arrive in our love and perhaps depart, bringing however briefly, all we know of happiness”. We will love you forever Jim.
Linda,
I remember your quote about “arrive in our love and perhaps depart” from long ago. Probably around 1970. But I remembered it a bit differently. So tonight I Googled it and yours was the only hit that even came close. It is such a great quote. I was wondering if you knew the source. If you have any idea about the source I would really appreciate you letting me know.
I met Fr. Jim several times at Mercy Home and as many have said, he was a man of smiles and great humor, besides having a deep dedication to all the kids at Mercy Home. A great man and priest whose legacy will live on for many generations to come. To his family and the family of Mercy Home, I extend my deepest sympathy because he will truly be missed by all. Now, Fr. Jim, you are at peace and in that dwelling place that God has promised to all of us. You are truly “ONE” of His Beloved.
I was privileged to work with Father Close when I began teaching at St. John Brebeuf. When he was asked to move to Mercy home we were saddened at losing him, but the move meant he was able to expand his wings. He was a transforming figure at St John’s and he certainly was able to use his knowledge to transform Mercy home. He will be truly missed
“Well done, good and faithful servant…” Father Jim Close was both friend and mentor since I first met him around 1980. I have admired his wit, his dedication, his energy, his professionalism, his humility, and his genuine care for the kids. I worked with him in fundraising and got to know him not only as a colleague but as a friend.
“Because you have done it to one of the least of my brothers, you have done it to me.” Rest in peace, Jim.
I saddens me to hear of Father Close transitioning to his next life. He firmly believed in the service he provided to the boys and girls of Mercy Home and for that he earned my utmost respect. We had few conversations but in those conversations I always admired his conviction about what was best for the success of the mission. He listened intently and with being condescending or mean-spirited he replied with humility and respect. He was a blessing on the lives of the children and staff of Mercy Home and he will be greaty missed.
Chicago’s history has been filled with many great leaders. Fr. Close will rank among one of the most legendary of all time. Very few had the personality, intellect, generosity and charisma that Fr. Close possessed. Chicago is a lesser city in his absence. He acted justly, loved tenderly and walked humbly with his God.
He was a blessing and a Father to my cousins. God take him into your Kingdom and He wil stand by you as another Father to many.
I remember the joy and happiness Father Close had toward each youth & staff in Mercy Home. I will miss him very much.
Father Close was the very likable and most popular priest in my parish, Saint John Brebeuf, in Niles, IL. He baptized my son in 1970. He was a kind, gentle human being and had that “oh so beautiful” smile. God rest his soul.
Jim was a good man, a good friend, and a good priest. I remember him fondly from the days of our camaraderie in fundraising. Requiescat in pace.
Without knowing him personally, it was obvious to me that what Fr. Jim was doing was a most worthwhile project, and it was equally as obvious that he was a man dedicated to its purpose. Based on that, I began donating annually to Mercy Home years ago and will continue to do so in his memory. May he rest in peace with the knowledge that he finished the race and fought the good fight.
Although I have not personally met Fr. Close, I feel that I have known him for many years. I have had the privelage of visiting Mercy Home several times over the past 10-12 years and was inspired by what he has done for so many young people in need. He shall be greatly missed. He had the same birthday as my oldest son, so it was easy for me to remember him on his special day. He will continue to be remembered on that day. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Fr. Close’s family and all of his family at Mercy Home. The legacy that he has left in Mercy Home will be a great consolation to all who knew and loved him and to those whose lives he touched and inspired. May God grant him eternal life in Heaven.
May God keep close in his arms dear and wonderful Fr. Close. Although I have never personally met Fr. Close, I knew that he was a wonderful man, who gave completely of himself to God and his children at Mercy. He was truly inspiring and Christ like to all whom he encountered. May he rest in peace and watch over, as he always did, the children and all who minister and care for those at Mercy.
There was no Mercy Home when I needed one many years ago. Although I never met Father Close, I have been aware of his work with Mercy Home for many years, and have thanked God many times that Mercy Home exists for the youth that need a helping hand. Just knowing about Father Close helped me to realize there are people who care deeply about each and every person; this was his gift to me.My prayers are with every member of Father Close’s heart; may we all be comforted knowing there is great rejoicing in heaven today, and Father Close now moves and breathes without pain.
There are times when you hear of a person’s death that you have a quiet moment of sadness even though you didn’t know the person. Father Jim Close was one of those people. I knew of him and his amazing work at Mercy my entire adult life. He was decent and compassionate and spent his life doing the finest work a person could aspire to. I’m positive Father Close has been held in the hollow of God’s hand all along.
On behalf of the faculty, staff and students at Seton Academy, we extend our deepest condolences to those at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We will keep you and the family of Fr. Close in our morning prayers. The humility and compassion of Fr. Close extends far beyond the walls of Mercy well into the hearts of thousands.
Father Close was one of the first persons to welcome me to the West Loop. He not only worked endlessly to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children of our society, but he was also instrumental in improving the quality of life for people living in the West Loop. He spread his good will to all who were fortunate to know him through his commitment to community development, inclusion and social consciousness.
We have known Fr. Jim since 1965 when he was at St. John Brebeuf in Niles, IL. He was our counselor during our engagement, he married us, baptized both our children, gave First Holy Communion to both our children at our home, he did the funeral mass for George’s father, he renewed our vows at our 25th anniversary. Needless to say he has been an intregal part of our lives. We will miss him tremendously.
My thoughts and prayers are with Fr. Close’s family especially today. He was indeed, a man of great integrity and a father to many troubled youth.
I know his spirit and legacy will live on at Mercy Home for generations. Thank you Fr. Close for being such an inspiration for so many, you will be truly missed.
Fr. Close will be remembered as a man who impacted many lives. It’s worth noting that he was a saavy business man who could have done very well in the corporate world…but he chose to use his talents and intelligence to create a strong foundation for children with his considerable gifts. It was a life well lived and he will be missed!
He was the most unselfish, and dedicated man. His commitment to his children at Mercy home was a reflection of his love for each of them. His genuine personality, his love of God and his humor helped open all of our hearts, ( and pockets:)) so that we could be a part in his support and commitment to the future of the children at Mercy Home. In the few times we have met him, he was someone whom we will always admire and never forget.
I will always remember Father Close it bring tears to my eyes knowing that God has called him home but his time on earth was spent changing the lives of so many young people. This man and Mercy Home for Boys and Girl changed my life for the better. He touch so many lives and he will be greatly missed.
I had the priviledge to work with Father Close in all aspects of community work. He was instrumental in building the new west side, now an area called the West Loop. He started our community organization, The West Loop Gate Community
Organization, a delegate agency for the City of Chicago, now in its twenty year.
Many of us worked closely with him to improve this area and we learned from him. We valued him as a Board Member where he served for several years. We served many moments of laughter at meetings when he would tell us to “remember the old timers”, as this is a new young neighborhood.
I will miss receiving his cards he sent to us always concerned about the community.
I’ll always remember Fr. Jim’s kindness to me and my family throughout the years. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Mercy Home family. God bless you.