Greenfield Mayor Pasco, 66, dies after cancer fight

The mayor of a central Indiana city has died just days after his family said he had ended treatment for a recurrence of liver cancer and was in home hospice care.

Greenfield Mayor Dick Pasco died at his home Tuesday morning, Chuck Anderson, administrative assistant in the mayor's office, told The Associated Press. Anderson said he had spoken with Pasco's daughter.

Pasco, who had been suffering liver problems since shortly before his 2011 election, was hospitalized on Nov. 30 for dehydration and pain. He returned home on Friday, his wife and daughter said in a prepared statement to the Daily Reporter.

The statement said the 66-year-old wanted to spend time at home with family members and close friends, and that the family appreciated the public's support and prayers.

Pasco had said he was first diagnosed with liver cancer 14 years ago and given eight months to live. He had surgery followed by experimental chemotherapy.

He had part of his liver removed last year, yet he rarely missed a City Council or Board of Works meeting after taking office in January 2012.

"I've never heard him once complain about having to go through the stuff that he's had to go through," said City Councilman Jason Horning, who was appointed mayor pro tem after Pasco's hospitalization and had visited Pasco several times. "I think it just goes back to, he's thankful for the extra time."

Pasco grew up in Greenfield and lived in the city his entire life except while in school and four years in the Navy, according to his biography on the city's website. Pasco worked in the family's funeral home business and served 20 years on the City Council.

Pasco told the Daily Reporter in a 2012 interview that he was grateful for the last several years, especially because he was able to watch his young grandsons grow.

"I've always been very positive my entire life," Pasco said. "I honestly feel I'm blessed to still be here."