THE loved ones of a father-of-three who died following a courageous battle with cancer marked his life during an emotional tribute.
Laurence Oakley-Ward, affectionately known as Laf to his pals, was diagnosed with rare and devastating liver cancer cholangiocarcinoma in March 2021.
The Colchester man was first admitted to hospital after falling unwell at his daughter’s birthday party in 2020.
Rigorous testing and medical examination followed for six months before Laf, then 38-years-old, received his cancer diagnosis.
He died aged 39 on June 25.
Laf’s friends and family gathered to mark his life at The Bull, Colchester, on Sunday.
The keen musician’s former bands Voodoo Child, Purple Dawgz and The Near Mrs all delivered rousing performances in the Crouch Street pub in a nod to their ex-bandmate.
Katie Rose, of The Near Mrs, met Laf just as he was about to leave the band due to his deteriorating condition.
The 27-year-old said: “It was nice to have lots of people there to share memories and stories.
“There were a lot of smiles and a lot of tears, it was really lovely.
Katie, who lives in Clacton, added: “Laf never seemed anything other than a really, really sweet person.
“He was totally dedicated and passionate about his music and his family.
“He was a bloke who everyone liked. I’m yet to hear a bad word said about him.”
Laf had his final radiotherapy treatment in November last year, following 13 months of exhausting visits to Colchester Hospital and checks, including endoscopies, colonoscopies and numerous blood tests.
Just 24 hours after his treatment concluded, the dad-of-three took on the gruelling ten-mile military charity run Paras’10.
The epic endurance race is based on the Parachute Regiment’s test week and those brave enough to have a go complete the course in boots and carrying a 35lb pack.
And Laf smashed the challenge, raising more than £1,000 for AMMF, the UK’s only cholangiocarcinoma charity.
At the time, he told the Gazette: “It not only gave me something positive to focus on, but I also wanted to raise as much awareness as possible about this little-known cancer and fundraise for AMMF.”
Laf’s fundraiser for AMMF can be found via bit.ly/3geEF7d.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here