Tumour groom dies hours after wedding

Mar 28 2008 Western Mail

A MAN who married the love of his life this week after being told he had just a year to live has died, it was confirmed yesterday.

Andrew McCarthy, 40, of Penlan, Swansea, discovered two weeks ago that the brain tumour he had lived with since 2000 had become cancerous.

He proposed to his partner of 11 years, Nicola, who immediately put plans into action for a whirlwind wedding and the couple married on Tuesday.

Mr McCarthy’s condition worsened and the Rev Padraig Gallagher, who married the couple at St Teilo’s Church in the Portmead area of Swansea, said he died on Tuesday evening.

He said, “They were a very devoted couple and very determined to get married. The day itself was a very joyous occasion with a great atmosphere. None of us expected Andrew to go so quickly.”

Mrs McCarthy, 36, said, “I’m so glad we did it in time. We were both hoping for more time together as husband and wife but it wasn’t to be.”

Mr McCarthy, a father-of-two, had received regular scans since he was originally diagnosed with a benign tumour.

A fortnight ago he received the bombshell news that he had a maximum of 12 months to live.

The avid football fan was left paralysed by his condition and spurred into proposing marriage by the catastrophic news.