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A gas engineer and plumber who worked at 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace died of industrial disease, a coroner has ruled.
Eric Witherington was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year having been exposed to asbestos during a period of employment between 1973 and 1985.
The grandfather-of-four, from Wateringbury, received treatment but continued to deteriorate as he suffered from pneumonia and respiratory failure, and was placed on end-of-life care on March 7.
He died at his home in Bow Road six days later, aged 62, an inquest at the Archbishop's Palace was told.
Mr Witherington, who also worked on Big Ben as well as the homes of the prime minister and the Queen during his career, was remembered by his family as a hard worker who also enjoyed going swimming and diving around the world in his spare time.
Daughter Kelly Cirillo said: "He was a traditional man who'd enjoy a Guinness at the pub every night, until he'd hear a shout from his partner across the road telling him his dinner was ready.
"In between being diagnosed and his death, he went on three cruises, including one around the Carribbean for a month - he didn't let anything stop him.
"He was working until the very end, his qualifications were still valid until 2020 and he was proud of that - even on the day he was diagnosed he was showing his card to everyone.
"He was the type of man who didn't do anything he didn't want to do - he didn't want to be at that hospital, he wanted to be at home, and I don't blame him."
Coroner Sonia Hayes told the inquest she was satisfied he had been exposed to the asbestos during his employment, and so recorded a verdict of industrial disease.
Addressing Mrs Cirillo, she said: "I would like to offer my sincere condolences, it's not an easy illness and it's commendable he managed to stay at home."
The family are planning to let off balloons as part of a memorial service for Mr Witherington this weekend.
