An Edinburgh dad has sadly passed away at age 45 after a decade-long battle with brain cancer.
John Williamson was a youth worker and lifelong Niddrie resident who is remembered by family as a “big, larger than life character”.
He passed away on December 22, 2024.
Edinburgh Live spoke to John’s Aunt Diane – who shared information from John’s daughter Amiee Lee and sister Karen Williamson.
John was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014 after having a CT scan for a head injury.
He was initially given six months to live, but chemotherapy and radiotherapy helped John bravely battle the illness for ten more years.
However, at the end of 2022 John’s doctors said his body could no longer respond to treatment and his cancer was diagnosed as terminal.
John (centre) passed away after battling brain cancer for 10 years
(Image: Supplied)
Diane said: “John’s cancer has been a terrible struggle for all the family. It was a big shock, especially for his sister Karen as her partner had just passed away from the same condition only a few months before.
“The cancer slowly took away John’s life and within the last six months. John could no longer walk, talk, or feed himself as his brain shut down.”
John’s loved ones remember him as being a larger than life character. He loved to be in the spotlight for his “antics” at parties, once even injuring his chin from doing the worm to entertain his friends and family.
He was also a huge fan of horror movies and used to collect Horror memorabilia. His favourite character was the Joker from Batman, even dressing up as him one Halloween.
Diane recalls once asking John to borrow his Annabelle collectable doll to scare her sister – John’s Aunt Lorraine.
John loved horror movies and dressed as his favourite character, The Joker, one Halloween
(Image: Supplied)
Diane said: “I still laugh when I remember us talking about that.”
John also loved to cycle, frequenting Holyrood Park and Portobello beach on his bike. He supported the Hearts and also had a love for art.
Members of the community know John from his youth work helping children engage in outdoor activities like absailing and rock climbing. He also worked as a sports instructor at Loch Inch Watersports from 2004 to 2013.
His family said he always made sessions memorable and engaging for the kids.
John leaves behind a daughter Amiee Lee aged 26 and a son Rhys aged 15.
His family invite John’s friends and colleagues to pay respects on January 13 at the Old Colliery pub at 12.15 after John’s service.
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