Father dying of cancer spent his final months finding a family for son
A SINGLE father spent the final months of his life finding a foster family for his four-year-old son.
Nick Rose was 40 when he died last week from an aggressive cancer that spread from his bones to his lungs.
Friends said that despite being in tremendous pain his priority was his son, Logan. Aaron Crompton, 24, said: ‘Nothing came before Logan. He made a joke about everything, even the cancer.
‘He was such a good bloke. He had cancer before and had to have parts of his tongue taken out. Nick hadn’t lived down here in Devon for long but was well liked.’
Mr Crompton’s sister, Amy, 24, who has set up a fundraising webpage, said: ‘Nick tried to stay strong for his son for as long as possible, he very bravely arranged for his little boy to go to a foster family after he passed.’
Mr Rose moved to Paignton in Devon from Yeovil in Somerset three years ago. Logan’s mother had not been around since he was young, according to friends, but Nick was an ‘amazing’ father. His final battle against cancer started nine months ago when he discovered a lump on his collar.
It quickly spread to his lungs but by the time he started chemotherapy he developed an infection in the tumour and the treatment had to stop. He died on January 3.
‘He was in so much pain by the end of it,’ said Mr Crompton.
‘At the beginning he was making jokes about it to cheer peo- ple up but by the end, he was in agony. But Logan was his life.’
Mr Crompton and his sister are hoping to raise £3,500 to give Mr Rose a proper funeral.
Any remaining money will go toward school uniforms for Logan as he prepares to transfer schools with his new family.
Miss Crompton added: ‘My brother helped with his care and it was so nice to give Nick and Logan the perfect final Christmas.
‘Nick had been in contact with solicitors about his funeral, but no funds had been put in place. I contacted his cousin, and she said that she was struggling to get the money together so I decided to start a JustGiving page.
‘Although Nick had only lived here for around three years, he was extremely well-known and loved.
‘I am trying to raise as much as I can to give him the best send-off possible. Many people knew him and have only had good words to say about him. He will be missed by many.’
Logan is now living with a foster family in Torquay, also in Devon.