Devastated dad who lost his wife to cancer shares heartbreak as son, 16, also dies from the disease
A DAD-OF-FOUR who lost his wife to cancer has shared his heartbreak after revealing his 16-year-old son also died from the disease.
David Winterbottom, 48, from Sheffield, lost his wife Kirsty to melanoma when she was just 30 years old.
The couple's son Reece was diagnosed with a brain tumour just a few months after his mum's death - and he tragically died earlier this year.
David said: "Just before my son took his final breath, I said to him: 'Your mum is waiting.'
"To know they are together again, and she has her arms around him, gives me some comfort.
";He was so brave, he fought every step of the way."
David and Kirsty met on a night out in 1999 and got married in 2003 in the Dominican Republic.
They went on to have three sons, Louis, Reece, and Charlie.
Early in 2007, Kirsty noticed a small lump on her head.
David added: "Kirsty was very glamorous, always beautifully dressed, and she noticed the lump immediately whilst she was doing her hair.
He died in May this year, aged 16, with David and his family by his side.
David says: "The hospice was fantastic, both for Reece and for my other children.
"In his final days, Reece lost his sight, but was brave. He was that sort of kid; he just didn't want to worry me. It broke my heart.
On my birthday in April, Reece was very upset because he couldn't see me. When the doctor came, he said to him: 'I've had enough now.'
"He was very frightened of the dark.
"Just before he took his final breath, I said to him: 'Your mum is waiting.' I hope that eased his passing."
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Reece was cremated at the same place as his mum.
The streets were lined with 1,000 mourners, including pupils from his former schools.
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