‘Joe the Plumber’ who shot to fame when he questioned Barack Obama on his tax plan ahead of 2008 presidential election dies aged 49 after battling pancreatic cancer at home in Ohio

A plumber whose campaign trail clashes with Barack Obama’s national attention has died of pancreatic cancer at age 49.

Joseph Wurzelbacher was dubbed “Joe the Plumber” after he challenged the Democratic nominee over his tax plans during a campaign stop in Ohio.

After telling Obama the plans would make him poorer, he was adopted by the Republican campaign as a symbol of the working-class family man threatened by Democrats in the 2008 presidential election.

The military veteran was diagnosed with cancer last year and died on Sunday, leaving behind wife Katie and four children.

“Our hearts are broken,” his widow wrote in a statement.

He appeared alongside Obama’s Republican rival John McCain, but did not formally endorse him

“He fought long and hard, but is now free of pain,” wife Katie said after his death on Sunday

“When I met Joe he was already known to everyone as ‘Joe the Plumber’, but he wrote me something that stood out and showed who he really was: ‘Just Joe,'” she added.

“He was an average, honorable man who was trying to do great things for the country he loved so much, after being exposed for asking a question.”

Obama shook hands with voters during a campaign visit to Toledo in October 2008 when he was challenged.

Wurzelbacher told him that his plan to raise taxes on companies earning more than $250,000 a year would make hard-working people poorer.

The candidate insisted the increase would be small, telling him ‘if you spread the wealth, it will be good for everyone’.

That remark was seized upon by Republican nominee John McCain, who accused Obama of promoting socialism and made the concerns of “Joe the Plumber” the centerpiece of his campaign.

The president-elect hit back, insisting that McCain “wasn’t fighting for Joe the Plumber.” He’s fighting for Joe the Hedge Fund Manager.”

Wurzelbacher tried to run for Congress himself in 2012, on the Republican ticket

Wife Katie said he was an ‘average honorable man trying to do great things for the country he loved’

Wurzelbacher appeared on stage with McCain, but was a reluctant mascot for the Republican campaign, refusing to endorse either candidate.

He later ran for Congress in Ohio on the Republican ticket, losing to Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur in 2012.

He had spoken about his battle with cancer and told Faithwire, “God doesn’t promise us an easy road, He just promises to be there for us as we walk these roads.”

His friend Derek Hunter posted the news of his passing on Sunday, tweeting a link to a Givesendgo fundraiser that has already raised $140,000.

‘Horrible news. My good friend Joe Wurzelbacher, aka Joe the Plumber, passed away this morning at the age of 49 from pancreatic cancer,” he wrote.

“He was a good man and an exceptional friend. Please consider helping his widow and young children.”

Wife Katie said he passed away at home surrounded by his family.

“My heart goes out to everyone whose life has been impacted by cancer,” she added.

“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 of pain.

He was released from hospital before dying at home on Sunday, with his wife Katie and their children by his side

A fundraiser for his family had already raised more than $135,000 by Monday morning

“I don’t think he’s losing his battle. Because he knew Jesus, his battle was won.

“Joe’s last wish was to get us back to my family.

‘The first night here he gave me a big smile and said ‘we made it’.

To everyone who supports and continues to support us, and there are so many, thank you! You helped bring peace to Joe and for that I will always be grateful.”