'He was a pure gentleman' - Family pay tribute to much-loved Sunderland grandad who died following cancer battle

John Smith, who grew up in Sunderland’s East End, died at his home surrounded by family months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The popular 70-year-old was fit and healthy but in September 2020 tragedy struck when doctors told him he had just four to eight weeks to live.

John had been working as a self-employed painter and decorator right up until the day he was diagnosed.

His heartbroken family say the devoted dad-of-three was a real family man who was the life and soul of the party.

His daughter, Sharon Smith, said: “Everybody keeps saying that ‘everyone loved John’. He had the biggest heart and he always put everyone else before himself.

"He lived for his family. We were told back in September he had between four and eight weeks to live unless he got chemotherapy which could have extended his life.

"We told him it was his decision and he said if it gives him a bit more time with us all he wanted to do it.

"He thought he had pulled a muscle when he went to the doctors. We were a bit worried because he never went to the doctors but we hadn’t suspected anything like that.”

John, who used to work at the docks and worked in Poland for a number of years, married wife Pat in December 1971 and the couple had three children Wayne, Sharon and Natalie.

With six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, John lived for his family and was well-known in the city.

“He was a pure gent, I could tell him anything,” added Sharon, 45.

"You could ask him for anything and he would give you it and if he didn’t have it he’d bend over backwards to try and get it.

"He loved family time – nothing better than a family party. He was the party animal. He would be up dancing and you would lose him for half the night because he would be mixing with everyone.

"He loved his holidays abroad and they’d been pretty much everywhere that he wanted to visit – anywhere with a bit of night life.

"You couldn’t go anywhere without bumping into someone he knew. He was really well-known and well-liked and the messages we’ve received have brought a lot of comfort.”

His family have also thanked Bunny Hill District nursing team who went above and beyond to help keep him comfortable at home.

"He had organised with one of his granddaughters to get some flowers delivered to my mam on Valentine’s Day. He died on the Thursday night (February 11), he didn’t know he was going to go so quick,” added daughter Sharon.

"Everything he was going through and he still thought about her. When they arrived it meant so much.”

A Just Giving page raising funds for the Phoenix unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital has been set up in his memory.

To donate www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/johnsmith70

Due to the Covid restrictions a small family service will take place on Tuesday, February 23, in Sunderland Crematorium at 4.30pm.

The service is being live streamed through www.obitus.com and the details are as followed:

Username: Nigi2285

Password: 123622

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