Mercy Home's "Fr. Jim" Passes at Age 75

CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For a city known for boasting loudly of its big shoulders, Chicago has lost a true giant who quietly and humbly shouldered the burdens of thousands of young people for more than three decades. Rev. James J. Close—or "Fr. Jim," as he was affectionately known by scores of youth, friends and donors to Mercy Home—died peacefully this morning at 3:30 a.m. following a long battle with cancer. His family was by his side. He was 75 years old.

"I had the privilege of working alongside Fr. Jim for many years," said Fr. Scott Donahue, president of Mercy Home who served with Fr. Close since 1990, first as a member of its Board of Regents, and later as its Associate President. "Fr. Close's legacy is profound. His imprint on this community and on the lives of thousands of young people who have passed through our doors will continue to be felt for generations to come," Donahue said. "Let us pray and give thanks to God for having given Fr. Close to Mercy Home."

 "We have lost a legend," said Darryl Schimeck, chairman of Mercy Home's Board of Directors. "Fr. Close was a true father to so many who came to Mercy Home lost, forgotten, or cast aside. He served these children and he served the Lord. And he did it all with gentleness, with grace, and with humility."

James Joseph Close was born on Chicago's North Side in 1936 to Catherine and Sylvester Close, who emigrated from Ireland. Fr. Close was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest since 1963, performing his parish ministry for 10 years before taking the helm at Mercy Home. Close was an inspired and dedicated servant of the poor in spirit. In the course of his 33-year ministry at Mercy Home Fr. Close forever changed the lives of hurting and hopeless young men and women, many of whom consider him a father in the truest sense.

"In life, it's not what you take with you at the end that counts," Fr. Close said in a homily at his retirement Mass in April 2006. "It's what you've done for the least of your brothers and sisters. This is my daily prayer. It's a prayer of thanksgiving and acceptance. It is a prayer for you and me."

He was committed to meeting the ever-evolving challenges faced by young people by embracing change and innovation in their care. That boldness of leadership enabled Fr. Close to transform a struggling home for boys in a tough West Side Chicago neighborhood into a nationally-recognized leader in caring for neglected, abandoned and troubled boys and girls.

To help more children who sought refuge at Mercy Home from difficult and unstable environments, children he termed society's "new orphans," Fr. Close launched a program of aftercare to support the long term success of former Mercy Home residents, opened a home for girls on Chicago's South Side, and expanded capacity at both campuses to serve more young men and women.

Thanks to his vision, and his tenacity, Mercy Home now provides critically-needed services for more than 600 young men and women every year and faithfully stewards the support of thousands of loyal donors and friends all over the world.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, September 6 from 3-9 p.m. and a funeral Mass on Wednesday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. at Chicago's Holy Family Church, 1080 West Roosevelt Rd. For more information go to www.mercyhome.org.

About Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has been a solution for kids in crisis since 1887. Our residential, aftercare, and mentoring programs provide safety and opportunity for more than 600 kids every year. Mercy Home is 99.6% privately funded and operates on two campuses in Chicago–a home for boys at 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. and a home for girls at 11600 S. Longwood Dr.

Please visit mercyhome.org to learn more.

SOURCE Mercy Home for Boys & Girls

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