Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - Wednesday, November 30, 1994
The town became alarmed in 1989 after Kangesier tested positive forHIV, the virus that causes AIDs.
Kangesier's family said he was working out with a punching bag at home when he collapsed and died at home Saturday.
Friends said the 40-year-old former professional kick boxer and member of the American Karate Federation worked out regularly to keep in shape and help ward off the onset of AIDS.
Preliminary cause of death was listed as severe coronary disease.
A Long Island, N.Y., native, Kangesier moved to Venice in 1985, where he's lived since with his wife Patty.
His life was thrust into the spotlight last year when Kangesier spoke out about a legal fight that erupted after his supervisors learned he had tested HIV-positive.
The lawsuit, filed against him in 1989, was known as "X Corporation vs. Y Person." Town officials said knowledge of the suit might cause widespread panic on the island.
The suit claimed that through his job as town plumber, Kangesier could contaminate the island's water supply, even though federal health officials said transmission of the virus in that manner was impossible.
The same month the lawsuit was filed, the town dropped its lifetime limit on AIDS coverage from $1 million to $25,000, a decision it was forced later to reverse.
Kangesier prevailed not long after the suit became public.
Town commissioners voted to end the legal fight and pay him $300,000, plus legal fees. In exchange, Kangesier quit his job.
Last year, when Kangesier first spoke out about the suit, he said stress generated by the court fight had taken its toll.
"The worst thing for your immune system with cancer or AIDS is stress," Kangesier said.
Visitation is 6 to 8 tonight at Farley Funeral Home. A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, rsday at Faith Presbyterian Church in Sarasota.
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