Terminally ill Stephen is married by best pal
Family fly to San Francisco to fulfil dying wish
A TERMINALLY-ILL Irishman has been married to his fiancee by his best friend as a dying wish.
Stephen Ryan, 44, was rushed to hospital in San Francisco, where he has lived since 2007, after his condition deteriorated recently.
The Dubliner’s family at home in Ireland were told he did not have long left and a number of relatives and friends made the trip to California immediately to be by his bedside.
On Friday, they were able to fulfil one of his final wishes as one of his best friends, Christopher, carried out the ceremony after registering as a minister specifically for the occasion.
Stephen’s sister Melissa said: “We were so shocked to hear the news.
“His friends and family all flew over to San Francisco to be by his side.
“It was Stephen’s wish that he marry his fiancee Kim before he passed away, and his best friend Christopher registered as a minister was able to do this on Friday. This made us so happy.”
Melissa added Stephen was a Liverpool supporter who “insisted we all watch them at his bedside this morning”.
She said: “Stephen has not stopped joking despite his critical illness. He’s a true Dub and Irish patriot and insisted Raglan Road be played after himself and Kim got married.”
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a charity that helps bring loved ones that have passed away abroad home to Ireland, are looking after Stephen’s final journey home to fulfil his wish of being buried with his father.
Melissa explained: “It’s a pay-itforward system. All they ask in return is that we raise funds for the next family who are unfortunate enough to have to repatriate a loved one.
“This is the purpose of our Gofundme page.
“Our family sincerely appreciate everyone who has donated to the cause of repatriating .”
STEPHEN’S SISTER TALKING ABOUT WEDDING
Stephen faced his illness with good humour