A “charismatic and inspirational” man has died after a five year battle with leukaemia.
Family and friends of Eddie Fletcher-Brewer have expressed their heartache at the loss of the keen sailor from Gwynedd.
His mother Louise said: “He had a very good sense of humour, he really was one of a kind and just so funny. He got the best out of people and the best out of life and touched so many people.”
Eddie was just 19 when he was diagnosed with the disease in May 2011 after returning from a skiing trip feeling tired and unwell.
'He never moaned about the treatment'
He told his mother that his top lip felt “numb” and was tingling, so she made an appointment with his local GP.
Blood tests later showed that Eddie had cancer and would need immediate treatment to tackle the disease.
Louise added: “The treatment was very tough, but he never moaned about what he was going through, there was never any negativity, he just got on with it.”
Eddie underwent a bone marrow transplant, donated from his brother Henry who was an exact match, but the cancer kept returning.
“His last hope would have been a new experimental trial, but this kept being put back,” Louise said.
'He was out to conquer this illness'
That hope ended last week when Eddie died at home at the Porth Tocyn Hotel, Abersoch which is run by Louise and husband Nick.
Since Eddie’s diagnosis, Louise has embarked on numerous fundraising challenges to raise money for Ysbyty Gwynedd's Alaw ward and Christie’s in Manchester where her son received treatment over the years.
He loved the outdoors and was a member of the South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club (SCYC). He had also completed an outdoor course at Dolgellau college and Plas Menai before winning an award for his dogged determination and inspiration from the SCYC.
During his time spent at Christie hospital in Manchester, Eddie, a keen supporter of Manchester United Football Club, was visited by the players, including Wayne Rooney.
Eddie with Wayne Rooney
Louise said: “He was just in awe but made sure he got every single autograph. He came home with a huge stocking full of gifts from the club, it was brilliant.”
'He made everyone else seem just ordinary'
After hearing of his death, the golf and sailing clubs in Abersoch flew their flags at half mast as a sign of respect.
Louise vowed always to remember her son’s bravery: “He was out to conquer this illness. He fought it until the very end and we never gave up hope for where there’s life there’s hope.”
Eddie’s uncle Justin described him as “courageous and strong” and said he was the “toughest person” who made “everyone else seem just ordinary”.
Eddie’s funeral will be held on Friday July 1 in a private ceremony, followed by a celebration of his life at 2.30 in Hendy field above Porth Tocyn Hotel for everyone who knew him to remember him.
