Joe Wurzelbacher, the plumber who gained fame for questioning former President Barack Obama's tax plan during his 2008 campaign, has passed away.
According to the Western Journal, Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber," died on Sunday morning at the age of 49 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Wurzelbacher's encounter with Obama thrust him into the national spotlight. In 2007, during an event in his home state of Ohio, he challenged Obama to be transparent about his tax policies, particularly those that would impact small business owners. Many Americans saw Wurzelbacher as a symbol of those adversely affected by Obama's policies.
Derek Hunter, a close friend of Wurzelbacher, expressed his grief on social media, stating, "Horrible news. My good friend Joe Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, passed away this morning at the age of 49 from pancreatic cancer. He was a good man and an exceptional friend. Please consider helping his widow and young children here."
To assist the Wurzelbacher family with medical expenses, a GiveSendGo fundraiser was established. As of Sunday, the fundraiser had raised over $120,000. The page explained that Wurzelbacher, a Toledo native and military veteran, was receiving treatment at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital and the University of Michigan Hospital.
In an interview with Faithwire, Wurzelbacher spoke about his faith and the challenges he faced. "God doesn't promise us an easy road," he said. "He just promises to be there for us when we go on these roads."
Wurzelbacher leaves behind his wife, Katie, and their three young children. His passing serves as a reminder of the impact he made on the national stage and the struggles he faced in his battle against cancer.
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