On the morning of Sept. 25, retired Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Lyne of the Archdiocese of Chicago passed away suddenly at his residence in the rectory bearing his name at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Bishop Lyne, 94, was a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago for 70 years and an auxiliary bishop for 30 years. Bishop Lyne was born in Chicago on March 21, 1919, to Mary and Michael Lyne. He attended Resurrection and St. Mel schools, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He had a masters in history and licentiate in sacred theology. On May 1, 1943, Bishop Lyne was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He served as associate pastor for 19 years at St. Mary’s in Riverside and three years at St. Edmund Parish, Oak Park, before moving to Holy Name Cathedral in 1966. He was associate pastor for one year then rector of the cathedral from 1967 until 1990. Under his direction, the cathedral was renovated in 1968. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained the then-63-year-old Bishop Lyne in 1983. He was name titular bishop of Vamalla and served as episcopal vicar for Vicariate II, which takes in much of the North Side and near north suburbs. From 1988 to 2013, he served as vicar for senior priests. He also served as episcopal member of the Illinois Council of Churches, on the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago and on the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. He was reported to be one of the oldest living bishops in the United States. In 2001, Catholic Charities opened the Bishop Lyne Residence in Palos Park for retired priests. It offers a compelling alternative, one close to the priests’ spiritual roots and affording them an arrangement that provides independent living without financial challenges. Bishop Lyne knew all six Chicago cardinals: Cardinals George Mundelein, Samuel Stritch, Albert Meyer, John Cody, Joseph Bernardin and Francis George. “Each one was a fascinating person who influenced me and my life in a way for which I will always be grateful,” he told the Catholic New World. “The Archdiocese of Chicago is mourning the death of a beloved bishop, and Chicago mourns the death of a great citizen of our city,” Cardinal George said in a statement. “Bishop Tim Lyne was recognized as a young man of talent by his pastor at St. Mel parish on Chicago’s West Side. As a seminarian, he caddied for Cardinal Mundelein. As a young priest, he was given tasks by Cardinal Stritch that demanded great sensitivity. As rector of Holy Name Cathedral, he served the people and counseled his archbishops. Always, he was the model of a Christian gentleman, shaped by his faith to see the good in everyone; and everyone responded with respect and affection. “He contributed to and accompanied the life of the Archdiocese and of innumerable individuals for decades. Seemingly indestructible because never complaining, his death is a shock. I believe he would want us to pray for him, as we continue to count on his prayers for us before the Lord. May he rest in peace,” Cardinal George said. During Bishop Lyne’s priesthood, the United States and its allies won World War II and soldiers came back to build a new suburban society, African Americans and other minorities fought for their civil rights, the Vietnam War divided America and women began working outside the home in great numbers. The Second Vatican Council made changes to the way Catholics worship and to the way many Catholics understand the church. No matter what happened, Bishop Lyne was always happy to be a priest. “I’m very grateful, not only that God gave me the priesthood, but gave me a love of it,” he told the Catholic New World during an interview in June. “I think sometimes people find their vocation hard. I’ve enjoyed mine. I have always been very grateful to God for my priesthood.” Such positive sentiments extended to his rather large family. “There were so many of us,” said Bishop Lyne’s nephew, Mike Lyne, “most people struggle to remember so many names, but he always remembered. Only once can I recall a big family party with kids everywhere when my uncle called me over and, pointing to an unfamiliar face, asked ‘Is that one of ours?’” Turns out Bishop Lyne was not mistaken. Bishop Lyne told the Catholic New World that he would pray the liturgy of the office daily. In his free time he enjoyed chocolate ice cream and had a subscription to the Lyric Opera. He also golfed until he was 93. His favorite scripture was his episcopal motto “Grace, mercy and peace,” the first three words of St. Paul’s epistle to Timothy, the bishop’s patron saint. Visitation for Bishop Lyne will take place Sept. 29, from 2-9 p.m. and Sept. 30 from 9-10:15 a.m., at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets. Cardinal George will be the main celebrant at the funeral Mass Sept. 30, at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Francis Kane, archdiocesan vicar general, will be the homilist. He will be buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside.