MANITOWOC – The city of Manitowoc was shocked by the sudden death of Jim Brey Aug. 12, and local leaders have expressed sadness at his passing.
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels said Brey, who was 58, was a “pillar of local government” and had an impact on the city of Manitowoc that “will be felt for generations to come.”
“Beyond his public service, Jim was a friend, a mentor, a man I served 20 years with, and a man who truly believed in the power and potential of public service to truly make people’s lives better,” Nickels said.
Brey died Aug. 12 when his vehicle crashed headlong into the Invincible Furniture building on South 26th Street in Manitowoc. He was the only occupant of the vehicle and no other injuries were reported from the collision.
Among other community positions, Brey spent decades as an alderman on the Manitowoc Common Council and as a supervisor for the Manitowoc County Board.
He recently gave up his seat on the Manitowoc County Board to accept an appointment as Manitowoc County treasurer, a seat he intended to fill until the next election in 2028.
Manitowoc County Board Chairman Tyler Martell said Brey’s “passion for service was deeply engrained in his foundation,” and he was proud to nominate him for the treasurer position.
Martell said despite their differences on politics and occassional positions as rivals, he knew Brey’s motivation was rooted in a deep love for Manitowoc.
“He committed his entire life to service of our beautiful city and county,” Martell said. “Serving as an alderman and supervisor in his 20s, I saw a lot of myself in Jim … Jim will be missed. Manitowoc is brighter by his life.”
Family, friends and Manitowoc residents have flocked to Brey’s Facebook profile to leave heartfelt messages of condolences to his family and sorrow at his death.
Rebecca Wilinski wrote: “Please accept my heartfelt sympathies, Brey family. May the memory of his remarkable accomplishments and dedication to this community bring you peace. He will be profoundly missed.”
Annie Levenhagen posted: “What a terrible loss for Manitowoc and worse for your family Jim Brey! You will be incredibly missed. There are just no other words.”
Steve Walsh said he always appreciated Brey’s willingness to talk and listen.
“His service to the community will not go unnoticed,” Walsh wrote. “True servant leader. Thanks, Jim, for always being an advocate for Manitowoc and Manitowoc County. Lost a good one.”
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc leaders react to passing of Jim Brey, a ‘pillar of local government’
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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