Jim Maloof Remembered Before Funeral
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 26, 2013
PEORIA- Even after his passing, the presence of Jim Maloof is burning bright in the River City.
The funeral was Saturday afternoon, a final goodbye to the late mayor. People stopped by St. Mary's Cathedral earlier that day during visitation hours.
"Jim was a great friend and I had the privilege of always getting him home after the Notre Dame alumni mass," said Frank Rezac.
He walked out of the cathedral with a smile on his face, though sad, he was remembering all of the good times he shared with his friend, Jim Maloof.
"I always remember picking him up in the car to go to the alumni mass, and he'd take that old red cane and put it up on the dashboard and say, 'Ok Frankie, let's go!"
A steady stream of people stopping by, taking the time to think about how they will keep his memory.
"Jim will always be remembered by his smile and the way he loved to hug people," said Ken Golden.
Even after 12 years in office the name Mayor Maloof stuck, people say he was Peoria's biggest cheerleader.
"He brought people to Peoria as well as kept them in Peoria," Rezac said.
"We're going to miss him just a great great deal," Golden said.
Maloof may be gone, but his legacy is here to stay.
"I will miss him and I think Peoria will miss him and we are all indebted to all of this energy and prayers and work he did for St. Jude," said Janet LaHood.
"Ever time I put on my St. Jude tie I'll think of that guy," Rezac said.
Maloof will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery. He passed away from heart complications last week.
