CHICAGO – Former Chicago Mayor Eugene Sawyer, a soft-spoken leader who helped smooth a tumultuous City Council, died late Saturday night. He was 73.

Known for his calm manner and ability to forge comprise, Sawyer rose to prominence in the days following Harold Washington’s death in November 1987.

Following a bitter debate, a split council voted to name Sawyer as Washington’s replacement.

He served as mayor until 1989, when he lost a special election to current Mayor Richard M. Daley.

“I don’t think anybody else could have come in and done the job he did,” said Alderman Richard Mell, who was on the council at the time. “It was a turbulent time in Chicago’s history, but he calmed the waters down.”

John Sawyer said his brother had been in poor health since December, following surgery for a perforated esophagus. He suffered a series of strokes over the past month, and fell into cardiac arrest Friday morning, his brother, John Sawyer, said. He he died at Hinsdale Hospital.

Born in Greensboro, Ala., Sawyer moved to Chicago in 1957, enticed to head north by relatives who lived in the area. He had a chemistry degree from Alabama State University.

, he was hired as an industrial waste coordinator for the city’s sewer department. In 1971, he was elected 6th Ward alderman, launching his political career. He later became the council’s president pro tempore.

“He was the most gentlemanly elected official I’ve ever known,” said U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, (D-Ill.). “Often, you don’t get to be an elected official by being gentlemanly, but Gene did.”

Born in Greensboro, Ala., Sawyer moved to Chicago in 1957, enticed to head north by relatives who lived in the area. With a degree in chemistry from Alabama State University, he was hired as an industrial waste coordinator for the city’s sewer department. In 1971, he was elected 6th Ward alderman, launching his political career. He later became the council’s president pro tempore.

After Washington died in 1987, council members split on his replacement. Many black aldermen favored Timothy Evans, now Cook County’s chief judge. With thousands of protesters chanting outside City Hall – many of whom accused Sawyer, who was black, of “selling out” to white politicians – the council debate spilled over into the early morning hours of Dec. 2. Sawyer eventually won the vote, based largely on the support of white alderman.

“It was probably the most charged political night of my life, and I think anyone else who lived through it would probably agree,” Mell said. “It was just wild.”

Alderman Bernard Stone, who voted for Sawyer that night, said Sawyer’s mild nature helped him win the council vote. But it might also have been his downfall.

“He was a gentle guy. Too gentle if anything,” Stone said. “If he had been tougher, he could have been a good mayor. But he refused to get rid of the guys who sold him out.”

During his brief tenure as mayor, Sawyer was able to push through several initiatives that Washington had started or supported, including a gay rights ordinance, which had languished in the council for more than a decade before it was approved in 1988.

“Mayor Sawyer was not only a fine and dedicated public servant, but also a deeply honorable man,” said Mayor Daley in a statement Sunday. Daley said Sawyer was “dedicated to his family and friends as well as to the people of the city of Chicago.”

After he was defeated in 1989, Sawyer dropped out of public life. Although he occasionally provided advice to other politicians and stayed in contact with many of them, he had no misgivings about leaving office, his brother said.

“Eugene was not the kind to go out and seek the limelight,” John Sawyer said. “He was very quiet, but very intelligent and astute at getting things done.”

As successful as he was at politics, Sawyer’s business ventures largely failed. After leaving office, he became an officer of an energy company, but his city contracts disappeared and his debts mounted. He later switched the firm’s focus to wholesale tobacco deals, but ran into more problems.

In October 2006, he filed for personal bankruptcy, citing a $1.1 million court judgment from a failed cigarette deal. John Sawyer said his brother suffered a stroke in 1998, after which he retired.

While he kept abreast of politics, he spent much of his time following sports, and fancied himself a talented poker player. John Sawyer said his brother was also a devout member of his church and a devoted family man.

Sawyer had three children, including sons Roderick and Shedrick. His daughter, Sheryl McGill, was named to head the city’s Department of Human Services in 2006.

Sawyer’s death came just days after another prominent black Chicago politician, John Stroger, passed away. Alderman Howard Brookins said both Sawyer and Stroger inspired him as a youngster.

“They meant so much to me as a child growing up,” Brookins said. “I looked up to these giants in our community. … They were truly public servants and they will be sorely missed.”

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(c) 2008, Chicago Tribune.

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AP-NY-01-20-08 1625EST