Popular Swimbridge postman and surfer Jon Gray dies aged 49 after battle with pancreatic cancer

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A FATHER-OF-FOUR diagnosed with terminal cancer last year has died.

Jon Gray, 49, died yesterday after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2014.

At the end of November the Journal reported that Jon was calling for more funding to be put into cancer research.

"If the country can find £55 billion to build a high speed train line to get people from London to Manchester 20 minutes quicker, surely they could find another billion or two for cancer research?" he said.

Jon had hoped to reach his 50th birthday next May despite his deterioration, and said he also wanted to "finish the task of being a dad".

He was a postman in the Swimbridge area as well as an avid surfer, and tributes have been pouring in for him on social media since his death. He leaves behind his four children and wife Jo.

A celebration has been organised to take place at the café on Saunton Beach today at 10.30am.

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FRIENDS and family of a Saunton man who died yesterday following a battle with cancer gathered this morning to celebrate his life.

Jon Gray, 49, was a postman serving the Swimbridge area and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last November.

He leaves behind four children and his wife Jo.

A celebration was held at Saunton Beach this morning for those wishing to attend.

People gathered and reminisced while drinking coffee or mulled wine, before a few words were said and people were thanked.

A lot of those attending then went for a walk along the beach.

Before his death Jon spoke about the treatment he had undergone, and how he had adopted a new diet to try and minimise the growth of the tumour.

Despite the ongoing debilitating effects of pancreatic cancer, Jon had hoped to reach his 50th birthday next May, adding that he also wanted to "finish the task of being a dad".

However, he said the second aim was "not going to happen" due to the lack of progress made in diagnosing and treating the disease.

"Make no mistake, the NHS staff and the service have been amazing from start to finish, and I would not be here if it wasn't for their quick response and unrivalled attention, care and service," he said.

"But sadly they do not seem to know where to go with this illness in order to stop it once it has begun to gather pace.

"If the country can find £55 billion to build a high speed train line to get people from London to Manchester 20 minutes quicker, surely they could find another billion or two for cancer research?"

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Sadly a similar tale in my office recently.