The 52-year-old chairman of the BMO Harris Bradley Center Board died on Wednesday of a brain aneurysm, according to autopsy results released Thursday.
Marotta played basketball for Marquette University and, after graduating in 1984, was drafted by the New York Knicks. Instead, he attended Harvard Law School and later returned to Milwaukee.
He served as former Gov. Jim Doyle's secretary of the Dept. of Administration.
Doyle released a statement praising Marotta's life and work: “I feel honored to have shared in some measure his joyful life. Everything he did in politics, business and his personal life was motivated by his selfless and caring nature. As Secretary of Administration, even in tough economic times, he worked tirelessly to see that schools were funded, that kids received health care, that older people could stay in their homes, and much more. He loved Milwaukee. He loved Wisconsin. He gave everything he had to make the world a better place. There is little happening in Milwaukee that Marc has not influenced for the better. And he did it all with his big personality, grace, humor and intelligence."
A Milwaukee Bucks statement describes Marotta as "a fantastic friend and ally...but an even better person with a generous heart and an amazing spirit."
The BMO Harris Bradley Center wrote, in part, "He was one of Milwaukee's great community leaders, and we will remember Marc as someone who was committed to Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin. He was a dedicated volunteer and an accomplished public servant, and he will be deeply missed...He was truly committed to the BMO Harris Bradley Center and was excited about helping the community look to the future and realize the dream of a new facility."
Marotta's family includes his wife and their four children.