NORWICH – Mormon President Gordon B. Hinckley was a kind, energetic leader who in 12 years helped to spread the religion’s message through mainstream media and expand its presence globally, say members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Norwich.

Hinckley, 97, died of natural causes Sunday at his apartment in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“He was a great leader and an example for all of us,” said Vicki Raphael, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Norwich. “Everybody just adored him for the person he was.”

Peter Mennis, the church’s Norwich Branch President, said Hinckley, even at 97, was pro-active, outgoing and tireless; three traits that defined his dozen years as the church’s President and Prophet.

“He was just an awesome man,” said Mennis.

Hinckley is credited for leading the church through a global expansion that’s seen its membership grow to 13 million in 171 countries. As a result, he was well-known for keeping a rigorous work and travel schedule right up until his death, Mennis said.

“At 97, in a day he was busier than you or I,” he said.