Remembering Peoria's Mayor: Jim Maloof

President of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and an employee for Maloof years ago Rob Parks said, "I still refer to him as the mayor. Then I had to stop and remind people which mayor I'm actually talking about because there's been several since Jim was mayor."

Parks said Maloof was "larger than life."

She said he was someone that always cared and always saw the silver lining. She said, "Jim's attitude when he was Mayor, in the years I worked for him and it was not a real good time in Peoria at that point, he was always positive. He was always on the go, he would call anybody, do anything, If he thought it might help the city of Peoria in any way."

Even well into his ninties, Maloof was actively involved with the community, his business and what many said is his proudest accomplishment - bringing part of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital to Peoria.

Former Mayor and friend Dave Ransburg said, "Well I think he touched a lot of people's lives, whether it was politically, or selling a house, or with St. Jude's, or just in friendship. Jim is a very positive guy."

Ransburg said he was lucky to call Maloof a good friend.

He called him Peoria's Cheerleader. He said, "I think we can either be dragged along by our future or we can get involved and engaged and create our future and I think Jim was very good at dreaming sort of the impossible dream. Whether it was with St. Jude's or the community, 'saying in very tough times things will get better.'"

Community members said he helped the city in every way, setting a standard for public service and leadership. Maloof leaves behind hundreds of friends, his family, and a long line of incredible accomplishments.

Another quality many remember - Maloof's passion for song.

He was known as Peoria's "singing mayor" and he could always be found greeting people with a warm smile and melody.