AURORA (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A man from Aurora, who was known for placing white crosses at scenes of tragedy around the country, has died after a battle with cancer.
Greg Zanis made over 27,000 crosses to commemorate lives lost to gun violence over the past 25 years. He would drive all over the country to deliver white crosses at scenes of violence. The white cross, bearing the names of the dead, would be erected near the locations of mass shootings including Columbine High School, Sandy Hook Elementary, Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the Las Vegas strip, and the Henry Pratt Company in his hometown of Aurora last year.
Zanis retired from ministry several months ago, after a cancer diagnosis. His family conducted a living visitation last Friday. Friends and relatives drove past his house in Aurora, waving and honking their horns, as Zanis watched through a front window.
In a Facebook post, Zanis' daughter said he died early Monday morning.
"I know you were ready to go, but we weren't ready to lose you," Suzie Zanis said.
Greg Zanis was 69.
Aurora Mayor Richard Ivin releases a statement on the passing of Greg Zanis reading, "Mr. Greg Zanis was a giant among men. He was a man of action who simply wanted to honor the lives of others. In return, his life was one of honor and one that was celebrated throughout our nation and world. Heeding to the scripture 'pick up your cross and follow me,' Mr. Greg Zanis did just that. He picked up the crosses he made and followed his mission in the noblest of ways. His legacy shall forever be remembered in his hometown of Aurora and around the globe."