Charles Comiskey II, 81; grandson of White Sox founder led team

Charles Albert Comiskey II, 81, grandson and namesake of the Chicago White Sox founder and a former front-office executive and co-owner during the “Go Go Sox” years in the 1950s, died in his sleep Sunday at his home in Hinsdale, Ill. The cause of death was not announced, but he had Type 2 diabetes.

His family name is one of the best-known in Chicago sports history, and Comiskey left his own mark by helping to successfully remake the team en route to its first American League pennant in 40 years in 1959. The White Sox lost the World Series to the Dodgers that year, their second in Los Angeles.

Born in Chicago on Nov. 19, 1925, Comiskey grew up on the South Side and was 7 when his grandfather, Charlie Comiskey, who founded the White Sox in 1901, died.

Comiskey attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., before enlisting in the Navy.

He joined the family business and was named vice president in 1948, co-general manager with John Rigney from 1956 to 1958 and club president from 1957 to 1959.

After his family lost majority ownership of the White Sox, Comiskey sold his stake in the team and became involved in real estate. He also owned a taxi and limousine company.