Dad-of-two Felix Glenny passed away less than a month after fulfilling his dying wish of marrying his partner Cola
A young dad who married his fiancée from his hospital bed while suffering from terminal bowl cancer has died.
Ryan Glenny – known to friends by his middle name Felix – fulfilled his dying wish of marrying his partner Cola in a moving ceremony last month, after being told he had just weeks to live.
The couple’s two children – Ralph, two, and Pearl, four months – watched as they said their vows alongside friends and family.
But the 23-year-old sadly passed away died at the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, Kent, on Saturday.
Paying tribute to Felix, his close friend Ashley Clark said: “I have so many strong memories of him, I couldn’t pick out just one. He was always happy, always fun to be around and we always had a laugh.
“I’m still in shock at his death and keep thinking it’s a dream that I’m going to wake up from. We met at secondary school through mutual friends and just hit it off.
“We got closer and closer as we grew older. He asked me to become godfather to his children and now this has happened.”
Felix, from Lower Stoke, Kent, was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pains in November, before being told the devastating news that doctors had found a large tumour in his bowels.
At first it was thought the cancer could be removed, but later tests showed the disease had spread and he was given months to live.
Speaking after they tied the knot in December, Cola, 22, spoke of their “amazing” day.
She said: “Felix just said he wanted to get married as soon as we could.
“It was a really amazing day, I had a lot of fun. It was crazy because we were really happy, but it was so emotional.
“It was a lovely day and we’ve been thinking about it ever since, it was just perfect
“Felix managed to get out of bed and we went over to the the hospital social club and had a ceremony and the Chaplain from the hospital came over and gave us a blessing.
“It was a really nice day and everyone really helped us out. All of our family was there and a lot of our friends.â€
Following Felix’s diagnosis, Mr Clark set up a fundraising campaign aimed at securing £75,000 to help support his friend’s young family after his death.
In the space of two months, more than 3,500 people have donated more than £58,000 to the fund, called the Felix Foundation.
X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, who has fought cancer herself, even handed over £10,000 after being touched by their plight.
Messages of condolence have poured on to the campaign’s website as news spread that Felix had succumbed to the disease.
On Facebook, one poster wrote: “RIP Felix, no more pain, my heart goes out to your lovely family. Let’s hope the donations help them through this terrible time. Love to you all xxx.”
Another wrote: “What a brave young man! Heaven has gained an angel.
“Thoughts are with his incredibly brave wife, and two beautiful babies who are going to grow into incredible people, and will be so proud to have been blessed with loving and brave parents.
“Only the good die young! This story has touched me so much! Sending all the love in the world to his friends and family.”
Donations to Felix’s family can be made here.
