The oldest son of Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, he retained a key role in football operations within the organization until 1999, when he was replaced by the current CEO and President of the franchise, Ted Phillips. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File), KOBE BRYANT, DAUGHTER GIANNA DIED INSTANTLY IN HELICOPTER CRASH, AUTOPSY REVEALS, “Mike was already successful in every sense of the word when he took over for George S. Halas after the passing of ‘Papa Bear’ in 1983,” the McCaskey family said in a statement. Michael McCaskey became the team president in 1983, and he held the position until 1999. Visitation for Timothy E. McCaskey, 66, will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St. (Northwest Highway/Route 14 at Rand Road), Des Plaines, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Mary of Vernon Church, 236 US Route 45, Indian Creek, IL 60061. He is also survived by his … Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Legal Statement. He was also dedicated to serving his community.”, FILE - In this Tuesday, May 8, 1984, file photo, Walter Payton, right, a veteran Chicago Bears player and one of the National Football League's premiere running backs, signs three 1-year contracts as Mike McCaskey, president of the Chicago Bears, smiles during the news conference at the Bears' NFL football summer training camp in Lake Forest, Ill. (AP Photo/John Swart, File), CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM. Bears re-sign Cairo Santos to 5-year, $16 million deal. The team is controlled by 87-year-old Virginia McCaskey, the daughter of Halas. Timothy E. McCaskey of Long Grove. American Life League remembers Michael McCaskey and his family in our prayers, and we offer our deepest condolences to Virginia and the entire McCaskey family. He is survived by one daughter: Rebecca (Jonathan) Wile, Columbia. Market data provided by Factset. He was the brother of current Bears Chairman George McCaskey. “We are grateful to Mike for overseeing arguably the greatest team in NFL history, and for his many years of service to the Bears and to us. During a news conference on Feb. 10, 1999, Virginia McCaskey named a new president and chief executive officer for the Bears — by ousting her eldest son, Michael, from the position. McCaskey was the son of current team owner Virginia McCaskey, who was Halas’ daughter. “Michael McCaskey proudly carried forth the legacy of his grandfather and NFL pioneer George Halas as team president and chairman and played an instrumental role in the success and popularity of the Bears,” commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. Market data provided by Factset. "Our focus in the coming days will be to celebrate Mike's life, and be whatever source of support we can be to [son] John and [daughter] Kathryn and … Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Former Bears chairman Michael McCaskey has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer, the team announced on Saturday. McCaskey held that post until 1999, when he succeeded his father Ed as Chairman of the Board until 2011. McCaskey, a Yale graduate in 1965, played on the school's football team. Also, six nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He succeeded Ed McCaskey as chairman in 1999 and remained in that role until brother George McCaskey took over in 2011. Michael McCaskey, who succeeded Halas as Bears' leader, dies. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw on the possibility of playing NFL games without fans in attendance. The title of president was held by George “Mugs” Halas Jr., the founder’s only son, before his death … More From Windy City Gridiron Could the … All rights reserved. McCaskey’s passing comes after a … He presided over the only Super Bowl championship Chicago Bears team in 1985, and I know he is still smiling about that magical season.”. Michael B. McCaskey, 76, passed away after his lengthy battle with cancer. The oldest of eleven siblings has many duties thrust upon them, not all of them pleasant, yet Mike handled them all with grace and patience.”. Michael McCaskey, who led the Chicago Bears for nearly three decades following the death of his grandfather George Halas, died Saturday after a … On Saturday, May 16, 2020, Virginia’s oldest son, Michael, tragically passed away at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with cancer. One son: Matthew (Katie) McCaskey, Baltimore, MD. His younger brother George succeeded him in the role. Four grandchildren: Ethan and Emma Wile, Columbia; Sebastian and Oliver McCaskey, Baltimore, MD. Michael McCaskey, former chairman of the Chicago Bears, has died at 76 after a lengthy battle with cancer, the team announced Saturday. Michael McCaskey became the team president in 1983, and he held the position until 1999. Controversial decisions, such as his firing of longtime head coach Mike Ditka after the 1992 season, plagued the later years of his tenure after achieving early success. McCaskey is survived by his wife Nancy, their two children John and Kathryn, and numerous other relatives. When Halas Sr. died in 1983 at age 88, the baton passed to Virginia. Making the presentation are Fox broadcasters Tony Dorsett and Terry Bradshaw, right. ©2021 FOX News Network, LLC. Playoffs: Chicago Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey and her son Michael McCaskey victorious during George Halas Trophy presentation by former NFL... Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan holds the son of club president Michael McCaskey, and … Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He was 76. Celebrate the life of Timothy McCaskey, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Oehler Funeral Home. It was, by all accounts, an ill … Her son Michael McCaskey was team president from 1983 to 1999 and was chairman of the board until May 6, 2011, when his brother George McCaskey assumed the position. Former Chicago Bears chairman Michael McCaskey, the grandson of George Halas, who led the franchise for three decades, died on Saturday after a battle with cancer, the team said in a statement. The Bears made 12 playoff appearances and captured their lone Super Bowl title during Michael McCaskey’s tenure leading the franchise. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. McCaskey was the son of current team owner Virginia McCaskey, who was Halas’ daughter. Michael was a driving force in growing the NFL’s international footprint with the first American Bowl game in London featuring the Bears and the Dallas Cowboys in 1986. Michael McCaskey, who led the Chicago Bears for nearly three decades following the death of his grandfather George Halas, died Saturday after a lengthy battle with cancer, the team said NFL releases 2020 schedule; no decision yet on fans in attendance. “Mike was already successful in every sense of the word when he took over for George S. Halas after the passing of ‘Papa Bear’ in 1983”, the McCaskey family stated in the announcement. I will be forever grateful for the many opportunities for growth that he provided me, as well as for his trust and support. There’s plenty of smoke, but is there fire? Poll of the Day: Will the Bears trade for Russell Wilson? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Joseph and Mildred Michael "Mike" McCaskey, 70, of Manheim, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, October 30, 2020. McCaskey, son of current Bears principal owner Virginia Halas McCaskey and former Chicago Bears chairman Ed McCaskey, was the oldest grandchild of George Halas. One sister: Marilyn McCaskey Mestler, Raleigh, NC. McCaskey became the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Bears in 1983, succeeding his grandfather George Halas in the role. “The Bears’ memorable 1985 season and their Super Bowl XX victory helped further propel the NFL onto a global stage. He was chosen NFL Executive of the Year by his peers following the 1985 championship season. “Michael was a good man, gone much too soon. He was born in Reading, son of the late Rev. Mukasey's adopted son, Marc L. Mukasey, serves as Global Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig's White Collar Defense and Special Investigations Practice. McCaskey, who served on several NFL committees, was a key reason in the Bears moving their headquarters from the original Halas Hall at Lake Forest College to a state-of-the-art home nearby in 1997, giving them an indoor practice facility on their own campus. “His fierce love of the Bears was unmatched, as was his intellectual capacity and thirst for knowledge on a myriad of subjects,” Bears president Ted Phillips said. He became president of the Bears in 1983 after Halas' death. He also taught business at both UCLA and Harvard. "Our focus in the coming days will be to celebrate Mike's life, and be whatever source of support we can be to [son] John and [daughter] Kathryn and those they love." Michael McCaskey, who succeeded his grandfather George Halas as president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, has died at the age of 76. During his tenure, the Bears made 12 playoff appearances, and won their lone Super Bowl title in 1985, behind one of the greatest defenses of all-time, and McCaskey was honored as the NFL Executive of the Year by his peers. The face of the franchise is her son, Michael, who never aspired … He succeeded Ed McCaskey as chairman in 1999 and remained in that role until brother George McCaskey took over in 2011. Michael always strived to do things the right way with high character and with the Bears best interests always paramount. We asked some of the WCG staffers to give us their top 5 quarterbacks most likely to be the Bears’ week 1 starter in 2021, and then tabulated the results right here. The Mukaseys have a professional relationship with Rudy Giuliani; Mukasey and son were also justice advisers to Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign. The Bears have been in the McCaskey family for nearly 100 years, and that won't be changing any time in the near future. Michael McCaskey then hired Dick Jauron. He succeeded Ed McCaskey as chairman in 1999 and remained in that role until brother George McCaskey took over in 2011. Virginia Halas McCaskey Former Chicago Bears president and CEO Michael McCaskey, a grandson of George Halas, died after a lengthy battle with … Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Michael McCaskey, who led the Chicago Bears for nearly three decades following the death of his grandfather George Halas, died Saturday after a … Michael McCaskey, the oldest of 11 children who succeeded George S. Halas as the Bears’ president/CEO and held the position until 1999, died … The Associated Press contributed to this report. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, “We are grateful to Mike for overseeing arguably the greatest team in NFL history, and for his many years of service to the Bears and to us. He was chosen NFL Executive of the Year by his peers following the 1985 championship season. Michael McCaskey, who led the Chicago Bears for nearly three decades following the death of his grandfather George Halas, died Saturday after a … George McCaskey had been the Bears ticket office director since 1991. He became president of the Bears in 1983 after Halas' death. Legal Statement. He was chosen NFL Executive of the Year by his peers following the 1985 championship season. He was voted the Executive of the Year after the 1985 season, during which Chicago won the Super Bowl. Former Chicago Bears president Michael McCaskey has died at the age of 76, the team has announced.McCaskey had been battling leukemia. The son of Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, Michael had the task of taking over the role of President and CEO of the franchise following the death team founder George S. Halas. McCaskey then took on the position of chairman until he stepped down in 2011. Rumors & rumors of rumors fly around Chicago & Seattle. “Michael displayed a professorial presence that could be challenging, but was also inspiring. FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2007, file photo, Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey and Chairman of the Board Michael McCaskey, left, react as they are presented with the George S. Halas Trophy after the Bears' 39-14 NFL football win over the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC championship football game, in Chicago.