"He meant a lot to a lot of people," said his niece, Cheryl Mishos, adding that McNally died at his Cleveland Avenue home after battling numerous health issues.
McNally, described as a public servant with a commanding presence, spent more than 50 years serving the city of Hamilton, starting first at the police department in 1951.
He rose to the rank of police chief before retiring in 1983 and then became mayor. He went on to serve on City Council for 22 years.
When he stepped down from City Council at the end of his final term on Dec. 31, 2007, he said he hoped to be remembered as an advocate of business.
"If you mention jobs, we'll do anything we can, you name it, to bring those people here," McNally told a JournalNews reporter in 2007.
McNally's passing comes a year after the death of Ann, his wife of more than 60 years.
City leaders say although McNally suffered numerous health problems, it was evident her death had taken a toll on him."He was always upbeat, but everyone realized he really missed her," former Mayor Don Ryan said.
Mayor Pat Moeller and former mayor and county commissioner Greg Jolivette said McNally will be missed.
"It's a sad day. He had a special chapter in Hamilton's history," Moeller said.
"I'm glad I served on City Council with him. He was a dedicated public servant whether as mayor, a city councilman or police chief."
Longtime public servant known for his dedication to city he loved
Word of George V. McNally's death spread quickly among law enforcement officials and city leaders after he was found dead in his home Thursday.
McNally was a former police chief, mayor and city councilman who was known as a man with "indispensable institutional knowledge" of the city, said Ryan.
"His desire and passion was to clean up the city," said Ryan, who served as mayor for eight years.
"He wanted to make sure people were accountable for their properties because he was born and raised here and he cared deeply about the city."
Mayor Pat Moeller and former county commissioner Greg Jolivette said McNally's impact on the community remains evident and will not be forgotten.
"He was one-of-a-kind in Hamilton politics and as a police chief," said Jolivette, who previously served on City Council.
Jolivette said he and McNally were often at odds on political issues, but still managed to maintain a friendship.
"He was absolutely brilliant," Jolivette said. "He thought things through before he would take action. The action may not have always been pleasing to people, but you knew he had done his homework."
Jolivette and Moeller laughed Thursday as they recalled McNally as someone who enjoyed politics and needling other council members.
"He would always say, this is Greg Jolivette, the second greatest mayor in Hamilton history or this is Pat Moeller, the second greatest mayor in Hamilton history," Jolivette said.
Longtime Hamilton resident Dave Belew has known McNally since his time as police chief and then on City Council.
"He was a very smart man and gave a lot of his time and life serving as a public servant," Belew said. "He was creative in his thinking and I considered him a good friend."
Belew said Thursday evening he was still shocked and surprised by the news.
"He was devoted to his family and I would describe him as extremely smart and dedicated," Belew said.
Former City Manager Michael Samoviski knew McNally for 37 years. Samoviski served as traffic engineer, public works director and then city manager for five years.
"He was a very interesting person; there were many sides to his personality," Samoviski said. "He was a very kind, benevolent person but he also had a reputation as being very tough and demanding as police chief."
Samoviski said McNally was often seen as controversial, but everyone who knew him knew that McNally loved the city and wanted to make it a better place. Samoviski said McNally was heavily involved with fixing the deteriorating housing market and cleaning up neighborhoods.
"He had quite the sense of humor and he took light in playing practical jokes and tricks on people he knew," Samoviski said. "He had a little leprechaun look that was mischievous."
Despite the joking behavior, Samoviski said McNally was one of the most intelligent people he knew. Samoviski said McNally took delight in wordsmithing and was "a master of the thesaurus."
Former Councilwoman Kathy Becker served with McNally for around eight years. She reflected thoughtfully on the close relationship between McNally and his late wife, Ann.
"There was no doubt in my mind the undying love for his wife," Becker said. "I would just look at them and know; it was always something I noticed, that was the true marriage."
Becker said McNally was always good at cheering her up on down days.
"Some people have bad days and he would come up with something to make me laugh," Becker said. "I felt blessed I got to serve with him."
Former Butler County sheriff and city police officer Dick Holzberger said McNally made a lasting imprint on the city as a councilman and chief.
He said he learned life lessons that he still holds onto today.
"I learned I had to be strong at times, tough at times and that I also had to have compassion."
McNally is survived by two sons, a granddaughter, grandson and one great-grandson, his niece Cheryl Mishos said.
Arrangements and services will be handled through the Webb-Noonan Funeral Home in Hamilton.
Staff Writer Michael D. Pitman contributed to this report.
About the Author