Former Bucks Co. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick Dies At 56

LEVITTOWN, PA — Mike Fitzpatrick, the former congressman representing Bucks County, died Monday at age 56, according to his family.

In a statement released by the Bucks County Republican Party, Fitzpatrick's family said he died peacefully, surrounded by family, "after a long and arduous battle with melanoma."

"My heart is broken," U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike's younger brother, said in a written statement Monday afternoon. "My big brother Mike was my role model and my best friend. Ever since I was little, I wanted to live up to him and be just like Mike in every way."

A resident of Levittown, Fitzpatrick served in Congress from 2005-2007 and again from 2011-2016. A Republican, Fitzpatrick was largely considered a moderate who worked across party lines on issue including the environment.

He was staunchly anti-abortion, however, and rose to prominence nationally during the end-of-life debate spurred by the case of Terri Schiavo, the Warminster native who was on life support for 15 years.

Fitzpatrick was among those who supported providing legal representation for people on life support with no living will.

Before being elected to Congress, Fitzpatrick served on the Bucks County Board of Commissioners.

He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008, but reported months later that it had gone into remission. He and his wife, Kathleen, had six children.

Monday morning, condolences had begun pouring out from other Bucks County political figures.

"Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick served our commonwealth and country with great integrity, competence, and dignity," said U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. "During his time as a Bucks County Commissioner, and then as a member of Congress, Mike proved time and again that it is possible to work across the aisle to make progress while remaining true to one’s principles. Kris and I extend our condolences to Mike’s wife Kathleen, their children, and the entire Fitzpatrick family."

"A true friend of Yardley Boro, and all of Bucks County," Yardley Mayor Chris Harding wrote in a Facebook post. "He will be missed. Please join me in sending prayers and condolences to all who are hurting from his passing."

"It was a true honor to have worked for Mike in Congress," wrote Julie Silverbrook, now executive director of the D.C.-based Constitutional Sources Project, on Twitter." He was a rare public servant, who believed in compromise and always serving his constituents. He was also the biggest champion, and dearest friend to who all who had the privilege of working for him."

"Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick was a force for good in Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania, and our nation," said U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, who represents the 12th District in central Pennsylvania. "I'm saddened to hear of his passing. My prayers are with his family and his brother Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick."

Funeral arrangements for Fitzpatrick were still pending Monday, according to the family statement.