Paying respects: Wake in Shorewood for former Governor Patrick Lucey

SHOREWOOD (WITI) -- Family members and friends of former Wisconsin Governor Patrick Lucey paid their respects on Sunday, May 18th -- as Lucey's wake was held in Shorewood.

Lucey served as governor from 1971 through 1977. He died last week at the age of 96.

Lucey was remembered on Sunday as a man who inspired a generation of Wisconsin Democrats and had a lasting impact on education in Wisconsin.

Lucey won a hard-fought battle with the Legislature to merge the University of Wisconsin in Madison with the state college system.

Lucey was the first Wisconsin governor to serve a four-year term. He was re-elected in 1974 -- and served as governor until 1977.

That year, President Jimmy Carter tapped him to become the Ambassador to Mexico, but Lucey became disillusioned with the Carter administration -- and eventually, he resigned the ambassadorship.

Eventually, he ran against Carter with independent candidate John Anderson.

"I have the highest regard for him and his family, tremendous people," Senator Herb Kohl said.

Kohl, a long-time friend of Lucey's, says it was him who pushed Kohl into politics.

"He got me into public service in the middle '70s -- made me state Chairman of the Democratic Party -- and that's how I got started in public life," Senator Kohl said.

Lucey once joked that he didn't have any charisma -- but those close to him say he turned that potential weakness into a great strength.

"I don't think you would classify him as the most charismatic person in the world, but certainly a person dedicated to doing the right thing," Gov. Marty Schreiber said.

When Lucey stepped down as governor, Schreiber, his Lieutenant Governor, ascended to the Governor's Office. He is now reflecting on their decades-long friendship.

"96?  I'm 75, so he was like a father to me. Of course, he rebuilt the Democratic Party," Schreiber said.

Schreiber says Lucey's top line achievement was having courage -- and being willing to take on the big fight.

In his later years, Lucey campaigned for progressive causes and against Scott Walker -- but the current governor set politics aside on Sunday and remembered Lucey warmly.

"We just thank him -- and his family -- for the many years of service he provided to Wisconsin," Gov. Walker said.

Lucey's son, Paul Lucey, says Patrick Lucey died last Saturday night, May 10th at the Milwaukee Catholic Home after a brief illness.

Funeral services for Lucey are set for Monday, at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee.