Local leaders share memories of 'fierce advocate' Alderman Jonathan Brostoff

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee community continues to mourn the loss of 41-year-old alderman Jonathan Brostoff, who was found dead Monday.

Local leaders are now sharing fond memories of their friend, who is leaving behind a legacy that won't be forgotten.

"He leaves behind a really, really incredible legacy and I'm proud to have called him a friend," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Brostoff was found dead in Greenfield Park Monday, a death that's being investigated by the medical examiner as a suicide.

"I wish that I would have known just the amount of pain he was in," said Mayor Johnson.

Local leaders say Brostoff was passionate, and a fierce advocate for the east side district, calling him a champion for the city.

"Many times, I was like, how can - you know - one person be so active," said former Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. "It's just like, do you ever take a break, do you ever take a breather?"

Serving a seat on the state Assembly and then the Milwaukee Common Council, he fought tirelessly to better his community.

"There are a lot of people who can corral around Jonathan on both sides of the aisle, because one thing that everybody knew was he cared about people," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

The community is showing their support, raising more than $75,000 for his family on a GoFundMe. The Riverside Theater is also paying tribute with a sign.

"If he really believed in it, he really pursued it and really did his very best to make it possible," said Gary Witt, the CEO of the Pabst Theater Group. "He believed in making the city a better place."

A GoFundMe has been created to help the alderman's wife and four small children.