Ross Blair, son of ex-Aston Villa player Andy Blair, died in Myton Hospice, Holly Matthews, 32, shared her heartbreak after his passing on Saturday
Ross has been fighting a grade-4 primitive neuroectodermal tumour since 2014...
Ross Blair, son of ex-Aston Villa and Coventry City player Andy Blair, died in Myton Hospice in Coventry after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Holly, 32, shared her heartbreak after his passing on Saturday, describing him as the 'best dad'.
The father-of-two had been fighting a rare grade-4 primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) since 2014 and has undergone brain surgery and chemotherapy.
'He was surrounded by me, his mum (Dionne Blair), dad (Andy Blair) and sister (Ashley Blair), peacefully and with the support of the incredible Myton Hospice staff.
Ross, a property developer, had been given only a 50/50 chance of surviving more than five years when he was diagnosed.
But he had responded well to the treatment and the tumour remained stable for two years.
Things looked hopeful, and the couple - who have been together for nine years - were able to continue their lives as normal, making memories with their daughters Brooke, six, and Texas, four.
However, just two days after they returned from a family holiday in May, Ross suffered a seizure, and since then Holly said his health rapidly deteriorated.
He was taken to hospital, then after a brief spell at home, he has been transferred to the Coventry hospice where Holly remained at his bedside day and night.
Holly has vowed to 'ride the waves' of grief and 'do what we need' to support her children.
'I have lost my best friend. I have talked to the girls about energy and how energy never dies, that the people we love live on in our hearts and our memories and they no longer walk beside us but they are within us, part of of us and as Ross had an opinion on everything, we have no doubt what he would say in every situation.
'The coming months will be tough but we will ride the waves and do what we need to.'
Holly also revealed details of the open funeral that anyone who knew Ross is welcome to attend.
Ross's funeral will be held at Nuneaton Crematorium, in Eastboro Way, Nuneaton at 3.45pm on Wednesday, August 9.
No flowers, just donations to Myton Hospice, which can be made on the day or via Holly's Justgiving page here.
Holly added: 'We want this to be a celebration of Ross' life and the impact he had on those around him, the children will be in attendance and we want to show them just how loved their daddy was and make it as light as it can be.'
Before her husband's death, Holly wrote a candid Facebook post as she sat as Ross's bedside in his final hours.
'What a f***ed up reality to be waiting for one of the people you love most in the whole world to die and even hoping that it will come soon,' wrote Holly.
'That is a weird space to be in, but a space that I and his family are living in.
'Grieving before they have gone, waiting for the last breath, half knowing it's best if it is, half relieved when it's not.
'None of this feels real at all and I keep having moments of 'what the f***?!', 'how did we even get here?!'
'And I have to drag my mind into the now and deal with it.'
'Since Ross was diagnosed with this devastating disease, Holly has shared their story to help us raise awareness - and we are very proud to have her as one of our high profile supporters.
'All of us at the charity have been touched by Holly's courage and honesty. By speaking out about Ross's last days, she has helped other people facing the same heartbreak and coping with end of life care for their loved ones.
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