MILWAUKEE— The city of Milwaukee is mourning the loss of philanthropist and businessman Michael Cudahy.

He died last week at the age of 97, after decades of giving back to the Milwaukee area.

Cudahy donated millions to nonprofits and cultural institutions around the city. One of Cudahy’s major efforts was the creation of Discovery World.

Joel Brennan, who runs the Greater Milwaukee Committee, used to lead Discovery World. It was during that time that he had the chance to work directly with Cudahy.

Brennan said Cudahy’s impact on Milwaukee will be long-lasting.

“All the stuff he has done on the lakefront, everything he did on all the higher education campuses, all the nonprofit work. Mike’s legacy was strong but his loss profound and I think everybody feels it,” said Brennan.

Cudahy was a driving force in the city’s arts community as well, purchasing the Pabst Theater at a time when it was struggling financially.

Gary Witt, CEO of the Pabst Theater Group, worked with Cudahy often. Witt said his purchase of the theater said something about the commitment he had to the city.

“He had no experience and had no reason to buy the Pabst Theater when it was losing north of $1 million dollars for the city,” said Witt. “He did it because he had a foolish belief that you could make this thing come back to life.”

The theater has grown significantly in recent years.

Cudahy will also be remembered for his significant contributions to both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. ​He spent his life working hard to make Milwaukee a better place to call home.