Dad dies of cancer two days after farewell party

A FATHER-of-one died of cancer two days after holding a farewell party with friends and family.

Simon with his son Rhys. Picture: Deadline News

Simon Blyth, 42, stood up from his wheelchair to give a speech, telling guests there were to be “no more tears”.

The shop worker from Tranent had been diagnosed with terminal renal cancer three weeks earlier.

Following the party at the New Plough Inn in the town on Saturday, Simon died on Monday in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Simon’s cancer was diagnosed after he complained of a sore hip. Surgeons found an inoperable tumour yet despite the diagnosis, Simon remained strong and arranged his funeral.

On Saturday, he left hospital for the afternoon to go to the party. His cousin, Lauren Blyth, said he remained “defiant” right to the end.

She said: “He managed to get up out of his wheelchair to thank everyone for coming and told people to cherish their memories of him just as he cherished his.

“He was defiant. He kept telling us, ‘no more tears’ even in his final moments by his bedside when we were all there.

“His personality really shone through. He wanted one last bet on the horses, and the football, and even joked that he wanted one last pint but obviously he had to stick to the juices.”

The keen sportsman loved darts and bowling at Tranent Bowling Club, where he was a former club champion.

A friend of Simon’s from the club said: “The pub was absolutely rammed. He was his usual chirpy self and enjoyed a wind-up.

“He was very big on the darts and raised a lot for Help for Heroes last year when he did a 24-hour dart-a-thon.”

Simon had taken care of his funeral and asked cousin Lauren to sing.

She said: “He asked me to sing at the funeral when he was in hospital. I took him the recording and he told me he thought it was beautiful.

“I’ve recorded a version of The Rose by Bette Midler to be played, and his wife, Lynette asked me to do Angels by Robbie Williams for when we go in and You’ll Never Walk Alone as we leave, in tribute to his beloved Liverpool.”

Mr Blyth, who worked at Iceland, lived with his parents Gordon and Lilian, his wife Lynette and his 14-year-old son Rhys.