Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, also known as “Joe the Plumber,” died yesterday at 49 years old, his wife has announced.
Wurzelbacher went viral for confronting then-presidential candidate Barack Obama on the 2008 campaign trail.
In a statement, Katie Wurzelbacher said that her husband lost his long battle with cancer.
Katie Wurzelbacher told Fox News:
“Our hearts are broken.
“We lost a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend.
“He made an impact on so many lives.
“When I met Joe he was already known by everyone else as ‘Joe the Plumber’ but he wrote something to me that stood out and showed me who he truly was: ‘just Joe.’
“He was an average, honorable man trying to do great things for the country he loved so deeply after being thrust into the public eye for asking a question.”
“My heart goes out to everyone whose lives are impacted by cancer.
“There are so many ups and downs but we tried to find joy in every day.
“He fought long and hard, but is now free from pain.
“I don’t think of him as losing his battle.
“Because he knew Jesus, his battle was won.
“Joe’s last wish was to get us back by my family.
“The first night here, he gave me a big smile and said ‘we made it.’
“To everyone who has and continues to support us, and there are so many, Thank You!
“You helped bring Joe peace and for that I will always be grateful.”
‘Joe The Plumber’ has passed at the age of 49 https://t.co/xyV5ngYURQ
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 28, 2023
Wurzelbacher announced in July that he had pancreatic cancer.
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