Last Year
On Friday 13 February 2004, Bacon received the diagnosis that he was suffering from inoperable lung cancer. On 23 February 2004, Bacon subsequently announced that he would take a four week leave of absence from his role of Premier so that he could explore treatment options. After news that Jim had little time left, he stood aside as Premier in March 2004, to spend with his family and friends whatever time was left to him. Paul Lennon, who had been Deputy Premier, succeeded Bacon as Tasmania's 42nd Premier.
Bacon, a 35-year smoker, died as a result of the cancer on 20 June 2004, at Calvary Hospital in Hobart. A state funeral was held on 25 June; many state and federal politicians (from both major parties) attended, including Liberal Prime Minister John Howard, all the state Premiers, Opposition Leader Mark Latham, former Opposition Leader Simon Crean, and former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
Read more about this topic: Jim Bacon
Famous quotes containing the word year:
“Every year without knowing it I have passed the day
When the last fires will wave to me”
—William Stanley Merwin (b. 1927)
“look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold”
—E.E. (Edward Estlin)