Former Cleveland Mayor, Ohio Governor and U.S. Senator George Voinovich Dead at 79

Cleveland, Ohio — Ohio Governor, U.S. Senator and Cleveland Mayor George Voinovich died peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning. He was 79.

Voinovich grew up in Collinwood and his family has maintained a Cleveland connection, still owning a home in Cleveland near Lake Erie.

"His two main things in life were public service and his family," the younger George Voinovich told Cleveland.com over the telephone. "He genuinely cared about his fellow man. Despite his political success, he never let it go to his head."

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According to Cleveland.com, Voinovich had been listed as a second choice for Ohio delegates committed to Gov. John Kasich in this year's presidential race. His death occurred a little over one month before his home state of Ohio hosts the Republican Nation Convention.

Voinovich was mayor of Cleveland from 1980 through 1989. He later became governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998 and served as a U.S. senator from 1999 to 2011.

Many of the fixtures in Downtown Cleveland that we cherish today, e.g. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Great Lakes Science Center, Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena are a testament to and accomplishment of the service of George Voinovich.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine issued the following statement on the death of U.S. Senator and Governor George V. Voinovich.

"Fran and I are heartbroken by the news of George’s death. Our hearts go out to his beloved wife Janet, their children, and their grandchildren.

"George Voinovich was a good person — a good man. He was a man of deep religious faith, and it was that faith that guided him in his decisions. He truly lived his belief that with God, all things are possible.

"He believed that his calling was to serve others — his city, community, and country — through his work in government. He also believed that everyone had God-given gifts, and that we all need to use our gifts to help others. He often talked about his mother, Josephine, who volunteered at the library at St. Aloysius well into her 80s to serve the children there.

"George was a mentor to me, but he was also my friend. I was honored to serve as his Lieutenant Governor and had the great opportunity to watch him lead and see first-hand his management skills.

"He was a tireless worker. George took home work every night and on the weekends. His administrative style and philosophy were to hire good people, hold them accountable, but let them run their departments.

"George was the long-time mayor of Cleveland -- a city kid, but he loved the Ohio State Fair! He loved being with the 4-H kids, working the bidders at the Sale of Champions, staying overnight with a farm family, and being a part of Ohio’s great agriculture community. After he left the Governor’s Office, he would continue to come to the Ohio State Fair with grandkids every summer. He was so proud of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center on the Fairgrounds.

"George took great pride in sharing Ohio’s unique places with others. He had a passion for promoting Ohio tourism — from the banks of the Ohio River to the shores of Lake Erie. He loved our state.

"George and Janet had a true partnership. They were best friends, and she was everything to him. He would often say that Janet was God’s greatest gift to him.

"He loved his family fiercely and nothing mattered to him more — nothing. He would get so excited talking about his grandkids, especially.

"Ohio lost a true leader, visionary, and statesman today."

Learn more about George Voinovich's life and career on cleveland.com.