Tributes to 'devoted father' whose brave battle against rare cancer spurred young son's heart-tugging message
There is only one other case of this type of cancer in the UK
A devoted father has lost his battle against a rare cancer, two days after his young son tugged the heart-strings of crowds supporting Ashgate Hospice's Sparkle Night Walk with a sign that read: “My Dad Is In Ashgate. Thank You."
Adam Eansworth, who was 40, passed away at the hospice on Monday. His parents were by his side.
His sister, Kerry Morgan, said: "Adam was a brave, kind and resilient man who always put others before himself. During his battle with cancer and harsh treatment, despite his rapidly declining health, he continued to be an actively devoted father, making memories with his children.
"Adam was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer called Thoracic SMARCA-4 deficient undifferentiated tumour just before Christmas 2025. There is only one other case of this type of cancer in the UK. He went into Ashgate Hospice on June 21 and passed away on June 29."
Adam, who lived with his parents Terry and Shirley at Cowlishall Drive, Old Tupton, was a computer programmer and web developer for Tractivity Ltd. Kerry said: "He had a keen interest in cars and enjoyed gaming. He also liked to go rollerblading and cycling with his children."
Dad of three Adam leaves daughters Violet, 16, April, 14, and son, Asher, who is 9.
Asher's sign captured the hearts of walkers and spectators along the route of the Sparkle Night Walk on Saturday. Sally Horner wrote: "This little chap made our group tear up. Thank you young man for standing out and making us remember what we were doing it for."
Helen Bamforth posted: "The little lad lifted spirits for walkers along with tears and made many of us take a second to remember the reason why we do what we do each year."
A collection for Ashgate Hospice inpatient unit will be held at Adam's funeral, which will be conducted by J.R. Hoult and Grandson Ltd. The date of the funeral will be confirmed this week.