HARTFORD, Conn. — Former U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, a former vice presidential nominee and longtime giant in Connecticut politics, died Wednesday following complications from a fall.

Lieberman, 82, died in New York City as his wife, Hadassah, and other family members were with him, according to a family statement that was released by longtime aide Dan Gerstein.

“Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family and America endured throughout his life in the public interest,” the family said.

Lieberman’s funeral is scheduled for Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford. Another memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Lieberman’s friends and former colleagues — from senators to other top leaders — were stunned by the news Wednesday as word spread quickly among his former staff members and associates.

Lieberman had been in good spirits recently and had spoken to the Hartford Courant in an interview lasting about 30 minutes in late November.

He talked about being in Israel on Oct. 7 — the dayHamas terrorists burst across the border and started killing civilians in a surprising attack. Lieberman traveled to Israel on one of his many trips to visit family and friends, and he heard the sirens blaring.

“We were there that Saturday, October 7,” Lieberman told the Courant. “Oh, man, the sirens went off. Everybody went to the shelters and the safe rooms that they have in their houses. It seemed unreal, but as the day went on, it got painfully real.”

As the attacks continued, Lieberman was far enough away in Jerusalem, which is about 50 to 60 miles from the Gaza Strip.

“A couple of times we heard some booms,” Lieberman said. “But there were no missiles or bombs that fell on Jerusalem. The booms, we were told, were probably Iron Dome batteries that are placed around Jerusalem that probably were activated to shoot down some missiles that were coming in elsewhere. It’s a society that is, unfortunately, trained for moments like this, and they all did what they have to do.”

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