Wife pays tribute to ‘wonderful husband’

AHEARTBROKEN wife has paid tribute to her “soulmate” husband who died of leukaemia during lockdown at the age of just 38.

Dad Phil Huntley, from Solva, Pembrokeshire, was found to have cancer of the blood cells just months after marrying his wife Sian in December 2018.

Following many gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, as well as overcoming four bouts of sepsis, in November 2019 Phil was told that a positive stem cell match had been found for him.

But despite initial signs of improvement, last February it was discovered that the transplant had failed and that the leukaemia had returned.

Phil died during lockdown, cwtched up in Sian’s arms, in the morning of Saturday, April 4.

“It still seems so unreal that my soulmate and best friend will no longer walk side by side with me or watch our children grow,” said Sian, 50.

“As a family we have been left utterly devastated by our loss. Phil was a gentle man, a wonderful husband, son and father.

“The heartbreak still feels raw, but Phil was and will continue to be an absolute hero and inspiration to us all.”

Sian said Phil “bravely and positively” fought every setback during his cancer treatment which lasted close to 12 months.

“He was a talented musician and storyteller, with a quick wit, who loved nothing more than spending time with his family in the beauty of the Pembrokeshire coast,” Sian added.

“Working for the National Trust developed his love and knowledge of the environment and beauty that inspired his writing.”

Throughout his illness, Phil maintained a blog documenting the highs and lows of his treatment and his battles with sepsis.

“He hoped that his positive outlook would help others,” she said.

“When we were told that there were no more treatment options for him, we were utterly devastated.

“But as he had been throughout this journey, Phil was incredible and it had been his wish to donate his body to science in the hope that he could make a difference. But lockdown prevented this.”

Due to social distancing measures and the strict travel rules at the time, a proper funeral could not be held for Phil, who was dad to nine-year-old son Dylan, as well as stepchildren Ben, 10, Katie, 15, and Amy, 16.

“The strangeness of Covid and the restrictions placed upon us meant we couldn’t collectively mourn,” Sian said.

“A memorial to celebrate Phil’s life will be held later in the year.”

Sian explained that it was Phil’s wish to raise awareness of leukaemia, and in particular acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) which in his case had spread to both his central nervous system and to his skin.

She added: “As a family we will continue his determination to raise awareness in the hope that others will not have to experience what we have had to.

“We will always be so grateful to the haematology team at the University Hospital of Wales, staff at Withybush Hospital and also to the donor who gave Phil a second chance.”