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Family, friends prepare to say goodbye to former attorney general Jim Ryan: 'He endured a lot'

Jim Ryan
Jim Ryan addresses the City Club of Chicago in 2002 as he was campaigning for Illinois governor.
City Club of Chicago/YouTube

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Ahead of Friday's funeral for Jim Ryan, someone who worked for the former Illinois attorney general talks about his legacy.

Dan Curry was Jim Ryan's press secretary during his two terms in state office and now is a spokesman for Ryan's family.


He said after three bouts with cancer and a heart surgery, the 76-year-old's body was worn out.

"He endured a lot, and he showed us a lot," Curry said. "Jim understood this. Because of his faith, he understood that he was being watched for how he dealt with these situations."

The Elmhurst Republican, who also served as DuPage County State's Attorney, did not enjoy being a politician, Curry says, but he liked public service and people.

After losing his first bid for governor in 2002 to Democrat Rod Blagojevich, Ryan set up the Center for Civic Leadership at Illinois Benedictine University. He invited people from various political viewpoints to speak to his classes.

Curry said the kind words from Democrats about Ryan after his passing demonstrate his quality as a person.

Ryan was preceded in death by his 12-year-old daughter, Anne Marie, and his 24-year-old son, Patrick.

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