Former LA City Councilman Bill Rosendahl Dies Of Cancer

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Bill Rosendahl, the first openly gay member of the Los Angeles City Council, has died after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 70.

Councilman Mike Bonin said the former councilman died at about dawn Wednesday morning.

Bonin, Mayor Eric Garcetti and other officials took to social media to mourn Rosendahl.

Rosendahl was a cable television executive and public affairs broadcaster who was the first openly gay man elected to the City Council. He served from 2005 to 2013.

In July 2012, after a sudden collapse, Rosendahl was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer of the ureter and told he did not have long to live. He later said he suffered from delirium and underwent numerous chemotherapy treatments for several months. After his doctor suggested he use medical marijuana to help ease his pain and help him get more sleep, he began to recover.

He resumed his City Council duties in September 2012, throwing his support into passing a medical marijuana law and becoming the only council member to oppose a plan to expand an LAX runway closer to some of his constituents. He announced he was in remission in April 2013, but continued with his plans to not run for re-election.

Funeral arrangements were pending, but are expected to include a Mass at St. Monica's Church in Santa Monica and a memorial service at Mar Vista Park, according to Bonin's office.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to organizations helping the homeless, Safe Place for Youth, New Directions for Veterans and the Jeff Griffith Youth Center at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.