Mesothelioma claims the life of California politician

Dec 22, 2009

John McTaggart, councilman and city founder of Ranchos Palos Verdes, California, died of mesothelioma at the age of 79 on November 4, just one day after he narrowly lost a municipal election. McTaggart, who called himself “Mr. RPV,” decided last summer to run for the city councilman seat he’d lost six years earlier. He was said to have fought to the end; one of his last acts was to cast his ballot on Election Day despite the fact that he was in excruciating pain.

McTaggart was a former plumber and engineer. In his early career, he was exposed to the toxic substance asbestos. This asbestos exposure caused him to develop the serious form of cancer called mesothelioma. He had recovered from the cancer several years ago, and he was optimistic about his health, but tests showed that his cancer had returned less than one week before the election. He was placed in home hospice care on November 1, where he died surrounded by family that Wednesday.

For the full story, go to The Daily Breeze.

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