Dozens of Milwaukee east siders walk to memorialize former Alderman Jonathan Brostoff

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Monday night, Nov. 11, about 100 Milwaukee east siders honored former Alderman Jonathan Brostoff's life and legacy after he died last week by suicide.

The candlelit memorial walk was held on Brady Street, where Brostoff dedicated much of his time.

In many ways, the memorial walk was a lot like Jonathan Brostoff himself: there was a lot of personality and a lot of laughs.

But also like Brostoff, there was a dedication to the work, as community members pledged to continue what he started.

Michael Sander, the executive director of the Brady Street BID, told the gathered crowd, "You never know what someone is going through. I appreciate everyone who is here right now."

It was an emotional evening for many of those gathered at the Roman Coin Monday evening.

A friend of Brostoff's, Derek Hanson, said, "He's one of the few politicians out there I can think of who actually gave a damn about serving their community."

Dozens of people eulogized former Brostoff, then silently walked the Brady Street neighborhood where he dedicated much of his time.

Former resident Christine Goralski said of Brostoff, "He loved this neighborhood, and he loved Brady Street the same as the residents here."

Brostoff was a lifetime Milwaukeean who made connections with seemingly everyone he met, including at the youth shelter where he volunteered.

Elizabeth Carew told those gathered, "I will do some volunteer work for Pathways organization in honor of him."

But there were plenty of laughs and stories of his seemingly boundless energy, like when the city was unable to clear a fallen tree.

One woman remembered, "So he knocked on doors and got people with chainsaws to just clear the tree. So it was taken care of. Who does that?"

And Brostoff was remembered for his optimism and idealism.

A woman who said she was a Republican who opposed some of Brostoff's positions, said, "I also really appreciate his willingness to listen to people he didn't agree with."

But a sadness clouded the memorial.

Countless people begged for more kindness after Brostoff's wife and friends recently opened up about some of his struggles with bullying, and that he felt particularly isolated because of his support for Israel.

Milwaukee County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman told us, "To be cut off because he has one viewpoint, by a group of people that were your so-called friends, that's just wrong."

Still, those who walked, and hugged and cried and laughed, remembered a man who cared about his community and wanted to make it better.

Wasserman said, "Jonathan was a great guy. And he will be truly missed."

Common Council president Jose Perez said he will submit a date to the council one week from Monday to hold a special election for Brostoff's successor.