Statement from Tommy Thompson on brother Ed’s death

Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson issued the following statement regarding the death of his brother, Edward “Ed” Thompson, who passed away after a long bout with pancreatic cancer.
 
“I loved Ed and I will miss him. The past months have been both extremely difficult and special to me in terms of the time and moments we spent together. 
 
“My family and I are not alone in our loss because Ed touched and belonged to so many. I have been deeply moved by the thoughts and prayers of Ed’s friends and the important part they played in his remarkable life. And in that spirit, the people of Tomah, Elroy and places in between became his family as well.
 
“Quick to laugh and joke, Ed had an infectious candor and spirit. His life was defined by an intense affection for his friends, neighbors and those who may have fallen on hard times. Ed ran for public office because he believed government had forgotten about working people and in many ways he was right.  
 
“Yesterday, political opportunists took a recent statement I made regarding end of life scenarios out of context and twisted them to mean something completely different than I intended.  Ed’s situation represents the message I was trying to convey.  He knew exactly what he wanted in life and death, and his family abided by those wishes. For in death, as in life, Ed will always be with us and his legacy will live on.”