Virginia Halas McCaskey Obituary, Death: Visitation Arrangements for Longtime Chicago Bears Owner Virginia McCaskey Announced – The family of Virginia Halas McCaskey, the longtime owner of the Chicago Bears, has announced the visitation arrangements for the beloved matriarch, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 102. McCaskey, who held the distinction of being the NFL’s longest-tenured owner, led the Bears for several decades, assuming control of the team following the death of her father, George S. Halas, the founder of both the Bears and the NFL.
The visitation for Virginia McCaskey will take place on Tuesday, February 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home, located at 2099 Miner Street in Des Plaines, Illinois. Family, friends, and the community are invited to pay their respects during this time.
A funeral mass will follow on Wednesday, February 12, for family and friends, with a private entombment scheduled thereafter, as confirmed by McCaskey’s family. The family issued a heartfelt statement acknowledging their sorrow while also expressing comfort in knowing that Virginia McCaskey had led a long, fulfilling, and faith-driven life. They also found solace in the fact that she is now reunited with her late husband, Edward McCaskey, whom she had been deeply devoted to throughout her life.
The statement further noted, “For four decades, she guided the Bears, making every business decision with the best interests of the players, coaches, staff, and fans in mind.” Her passing marks the end of an era for the team she loved, but her legacy remains a cornerstone of the franchise’s identity.
Virginia McCaskey, born in 1923, was raised in the world of football, with her father, George Halas, not only founding the Chicago Bears but also playing a key role in the creation of the National Football League. Under George Halas’s leadership, the Bears became one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, and Virginia, after his death in 1983, continued his legacy, becoming the team’s principal owner. Her son, Michael McCaskey, took on the role of team chairman in 1999, with another son, George McCaskey, assuming that role in 2011.
Over the years, Virginia McCaskey’s leadership shaped the Bears organization and left a lasting mark on the NFL. Her approach was always driven by values such as integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to the well-being of those within the Bears family.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed condolences on behalf of the league, saying, “Virginia Halas McCaskey, the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears and daughter of NFL founder George Halas, leaves behind a legacy defined by grace, integrity, and compassion.” Goodell went on to emphasize the guiding principles of McCaskey’s life: faith, family, and football. Her unwavering belief in doing what was right shaped her decisions and her leadership style, and it was clear that the Bears, the team her father built, was her lifelong passion. Goodell also shared that George Halas would have been proud of how Virginia carried on the family’s legacy.
Virginia McCaskey’s contributions to both the Chicago Bears and the NFL will never be forgotten. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in NFL history, but her influence will remain a part of the franchise for years to come.
As the community mourns this loss, our thoughts and prayers go out to the McCaskey and Halas families, the Chicago Bears organization, and Bears fans everywhere, as they remember the legacy of Virginia Halas McCaskey, a woman who embodied grace, dignity, and dedication to the sport of football.
<p>The post Virginia Halas McCaskey Son Michael McCaskey Obituary, Death: Longtime Bears Owner Virginia McCaskey, Dies At Age 102 first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.</p>
