Jim Tyree in 2009. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Mesirow Financial colleagues, a U.S. Senator, a governor and neighborhood folks from the South Side were among those who jammed into Old St. Patrick’s Church Monday night to attend a funeral Mass for James Tyree, the financier and Sun-Times owner who died last week at age 53.

The first of three eulogies was given by Richard Price, a longtime Mesirow executive who has replaced Tyree as chairman and chief executive of the Chicago-based financial services firm.

Price, whose voice wavered on at least a couple of occasions, said his business partner had a “desire to be hands-on,” noting that 55 of Mesirow’s 1,200 workers reported directly to him. The two executives were tight, even vacationing together with their families. Get the full story »