Tragedy struck a Sydney family when a grandfather collapsed and died at his eight-year-old grandson’s funeral, leaving the family in “unimaginable pain.” Stan, the grandfather, had just bid farewell to little Tommy, who tragically lost his battle with cancer earlier this month. As Stan walked out of the chapel, he suddenly collapsed.
Doctors and nurses who were attending the funeral rushed to Stan’s aid, performing CPR and taking him to Blacktown Hospital. Sadly, their efforts were in vain, and Stan passed away. The devastating loss compounded the grief that the family was already experiencing after saying goodbye to their beloved son and grandson.
Amanda Adams-Bennett, Tommy’s mother and Stan’s daughter, expressed her emotions on a fundraising page that was set up to support her mother, Lin. She described the rollercoaster of grief, anger, sadness, and other emotions that she was going through. She also shared the profound impact that Stan had on their lives, describing him as the most patient, kind, respectful, and honest man she knew. He was not only a father to her but also a loving grandfather to their boys.
The family is now facing an unimaginable pain as they mourn the loss of two beautiful souls who were taken from them far too soon. Adams-Bennett revealed that her mother lost her loyal husband of 47 years, highlighting the deep bond they shared. The grandfather lived for his grandkids, and he had a special connection with Tommy.
Adams-Bennett speculated that her father’s collapse may have been caused by the overwhelming grief he felt. Tommy had been diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a rare and aggressive type of childhood cancer, in September of last year. After a brave battle, he passed away on July 2. His funeral took place on July 12, which tragically became the date of Stan’s death as well.
The loss of a loved one is always a devastating experience, but the circumstances surrounding Stan’s passing make this tragedy even more heart-wrenching. The family is now left to navigate the profound grief and find ways to cope with their unimaginable pain. As they come to terms with these losses, the support and love from their community will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their healing process.
