'Mr. Cub,' Ernie Banks died of heart attack, attorney says

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A public memorial is being planned for Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks, who died of a heart attack on Friday, his attorney revealed at a Sunday news conference.

As they grieve, the widow and family of "Mr. Cub" thanked fans for their outpouring of support.

For the first time, the wife of Ernie Banks spoke publically about the passing of her husband. The Chicago Cubs legend died just days before what would have been his 84th birthday.

PHOTOS: Ernie 'Mr. Cub' Banks, 1931-2015

"It is certainly a sad day for us," Liz Banks said.

The grieving widow's mother, brothers and sister also attended the Sunday news conference, where it was learned that "Mr. Cub" died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital after suffering a heart attack.

The family has started a Facebook page called Ernie Banks Remembered.

Family attorney Mark Bogen called Banks an ambassador for baseball and the city of Chicago, while praising him for his support of the military, gay rights, those with disabilities and numerous charities.

"He loved people and wanted to hear their stories, their lives not talk about his. Instead of talking about baseball, he would talk about life," Bogen said.

Outside Wrigley Field, Ron Dzingeleski admired the collection of flowers and mementos left along a fence in honor of banks. The LaGrange Park native is among the many diehard fans that stopped by to pay their respects to the baseball great.

"I'm 53 and I've been a Cubs fan since '69, when I was 7 or 8, so it's something to do and pay your respects," Dzingeleski said.

Banks was a lifelong Chicago Cub and is among the greatest players in the team's franchise history. The first African American player to be signed by the Cubs in 1953, he went on to be a 14-time all-star, hit 512 home runs, and become a two-time National League Most Valuable Player.

Banks was inducted into the Naismith Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977 and in 2013 was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his goodwill.

Banks was the first Cub to have his uniform number retired when the team hoisted his No. 14 flag in 1982 and was the first player in Cubs history to be honored with a statue at Wrigley Field in 2008.

"I want you to know he was very beloved and he is going to be dearly missed by family, friends and all of his fans," Liz Banks said.

A public memorial service for the Cubs' great will likely be on Wednesday at Daley Plaza.

The Ernie Banks statue, which had been temporarily removed from the corner of Clark and Addison for restoration during the current Wrigley Field construction, will be placed in Daley Plaza from Wednesday morning to Saturday to allow fans to honor and remember the Chicago Cubs great.