Tributes have been paid to an "amazing" dad and firefighter of 30 years who lost his brave battle with cancer. Andy Sale's heartbroken wife Denise shared how the 54-year-old loved life, adored his children and would hug everyone he met.
The couple had moved to Spain in 2020 after his long and happy career at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. He collapsed in the December that year with stomach pains and after three months of tests he was diagnosed with cancer.
Andy initially wanted to stay in Spain to "keep his dream alive". But he was convinced by his family to move back to the UK in 2021 after facing £10,000 a month hospital bills.
Back at home in Childwall in Liverpool, Andy's condition started to improve. He was put on medication and his cancer started to subside. Due to his improved health, he was able to attend his son, Callum's wedding as best man.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Denise said: "He was so nervous on the day but so good. You could tell he was ill but he was able to do it and my son brought the wedding forward. We all rallied around him and helped him the best we could and it means so much to all of us that we got to share that memory together."
But Denise noticed that the lumps on his neck were returning. And after a doctor's appointment, it was discovered his cancer had progressed.
In October 2021, Andy was diagnosed with Richter's Syndrome a rare and aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Denise, 55, said: "On December 9 he went in for a doctor's appointment and never came home.
"I was sorting his clothes out in the hope he would come home and I got a call from the hospital. I stayed with him for nine days until he passed away on December 23 and it broke my heart."
Denise and Andy met aged 18 and were together for 37 years. She said they never spent any time apart and she was "lucky to have him as a husband".
In her tribute, she said: "He loved life and was dedicated to his family. He was so proud of everything his kids did and loved our big family dinners on a Sunday. He was a great dad and worked three jobs to provide for his children so we could go on holiday and give them a great life and that is what we got and had together.
"Every single person he met would get a hug whether they liked it or not and everyone on his watch would vouch for that. He would never start his shift or end one without giving everyone a hug it was just how he was, he loved everybody.
"His motto was 'you may never have another tomorrow'. He adored me, he used to say I was the glue that kept the family together and made sure we spent time with each other. We were soulmates there is no other way you can put it."
Andy was also a "fitness fanatic" competing in triathlons, marathons, and three Ironman challenges. Regularly raising money for charity, Denise described him as a man who "never thought of himself".
