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BratFest founder dies Sunday

After a two-year battle with kidney cancer, the founder of the World's Largest BratFest and former Monona mayor Tom Metcalfe passed away Sunday.

Flags in Monona were at half-staff in remembrance of 70-year-old Metcalfe, who served 10 years as city mayor from 1993 to 2003.

"My father cared deeply about the city and I think all the citizens of Monona know that," Tim Metcalfe, one of Tom Metcalfe's four children, said. "He was a great leader and an optimist."

Though Tom Metcalfe battled kidney cancer for two years, Tim Metcalfe said his father did not let the disease affect his behavior.

"He's a big, strong man, and he fought it very hard for two years," Tim Metcalfe remarked, adding the condition began to worsen the week before his father passed. "The cancer just spread very rapidly and his conditions changed almost overnight."

A couple days before his death, Monona City Administrator David Berner and Monona Mayor Robb Kahl spent time with Tom Metcalfe, as both Berner and Kahl built friendships while working with the former mayor.

"I was able to express appreciation for Tom's friendship and support," Berner said. "He was an optimist and a visionary who didn't care to dwell on the negative."

Berner said Tom Metcalfe also received calls from Gov. Jim Doyle and former Gov. Tommy Thompson days before his death.

"I think that he was someone both Republicans and Democrats respected … regardless of politics," Berner added.

According to Berner, some of Tom Metcafe's accomplishments as the mayor of Monona included the renovation of Broadway Highway, the development of the Pier 37 shopping center and the expansion of the city's public library.

"Tom was very involved in the Monona community," Berner said. "We're all going to miss that."

Tim Metcalfe added his father's passion for a strong community led to the founding of the World's Largest BratFest, an annual summer event in Madison.

"Through the years [the BratFest] got bigger and bigger, but stayed mainly localized," Tim Metcalfe said. "That's why people get behind the event. Everything about it is about the community."

And according to Tim Metcalfe, his father would always greet people in a sincere manner.

"When people would ask him how he was doing, he would always answer, 'Fantastic!'" he said. "I don't think there was a person that didn't like him. Everybody in Monona is going to gravely miss him."