Steve Cole

Steve passed away on the 11th February 2025, at 09:13.

Dad thought he had just caught a parasite while travelling, in November 2024. It made sense, and the symptoms matched up.

Unfortunately, symptoms proceeded to get worse throughout December, and in January dad realised that something was very wrong and booked a flight back to the UK so that he could see a doctor through the NHS.

Dad was put on a fast track referral for a CT scan, however he was taken into hospital sooner as symptoms started rapidly getting worse. Dad was taken into hospital on the 30th January, diagnosed on the 1st February with late stage pancreatic cancer.

It was clear quite quickly that we only had days left with dad, and we made sure that dad never felt alone or scared. Because of the speed of everything, there was never any time to process what was going on and we all just made sure that we were able to give dad as much comfort as possible.

While dad was in hospital, he told us that he wasn’t afraid of dying. He had done what he wanted to do in life. So although he passed away young (62, although he’d probably tell you 42), it brings comfort to know that he left this world with nothing left unticked.

Since dad passed, I have been in contact with so many people that have known dad across his whole life. In all the stories that I’ve heard, there has been love, happiness, laughter, and kindness. Dad was someone who also strived to help people who were less fortunate, and those around him. He didn’t boast about his acts of kindness, and many of the stories I’ve heard throughout the past weeks have been when dad has helped people he’s met throughout his travels. These were the first time I’ve heard these stories, dad always missed out the part where he helped someone when telling me about his travels.

It feels as if dad is still walking around the world, walking his own Camino. He will always be a traveller of the world in our hearts.

Dad’s funeral is on the 15th March 2025. We are asking for donations to pancreatic cancer research, so that families in the future can have longer with their loved ones, and that those with pancreatic cancer can have a higher chance of beating it. Alternatively, if you wish to help somewhere else, we’d like to suggest donating to palliative care teams near you. Without their care, the few days dad had would not have been as comfortable for him as they were. There aren’t any words to describe the incredible care that they gave.

Thank you