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Jeff Thorne, who coached the North Central College football team to its first NCAA Division III national championship in 2019, was known as a man of strong faith and fierce competitive spirit.

Those qualities buoyed him after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in February and learned over the summer that the tumor was inoperable.

Jeff Thorne, a Naperville resident, died Tuesday at age 53. He is survived by his parents, John and Kathie; his wife, Joanna; and his children, Payton, Noelle and Lauren.

Brad Spencer, who succeeded Jeff Thorne as NCC’s coach following the 2021 season and has won two more national titles , last saw his mentor and former boss in late October, when the team hosted the Refuse to Lose: Cardinals for a Cure game.

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