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Tributes are flowing for 34-year-old Christchurch dad Henri Kerr who succumbed to an aggressive form of brain cancer.
His wife Anna Sheehan posted the sad news on Kerr’s Instagram page – cutcancerkerr – where he posted videos about his experience living with grade four astrocytoma.
Bay Harbour News has covered Kerr’s cancer journey since his family and friends launched a Givealittle page in February to support him, Sheehan and their three-year-old daughter Noa.
They aimed to raise $50,000 for a chemotherapy drug called bevacizumab.
The treatment is not funded in New Zealand and cost his family $2682 every three weeks.
The Givealittle page raised $59,617 for the Heathcote family and reached its goal within a month of its launch.
"To every single person who has donated to Henri's Givealittle page to date, thank you," Sheehan said
"There truly aren’t enough words to express what your kindness means to us. Whether you gave a little or a lot, shared the page, sent a message, or kept us in your thoughts, it has made a real difference."
A large tumour was found on Kerr’s left parietal lobe about 22-months ago.
“We were just so shocked, a large tumour was the last thing I thought. It felt like being hit by a bus,” Sheehan said in February.
Kerr died on Friday night.
Sheehan posted about her husband, saying he had “gently passed away ... so peacefully and surrounded by so much love”.
“If you’re missing Henri, talk to people about him.
"We are so lucky he made @cutcancerkerr page so we can hear his voice and be reminded of how gracious and strong and beautiful he was when we needed it.
"Thanks everyone who has supported us."
Kerr was admitted to hospice last Tuesday after deteriorating quickly over the previous few weeks.
He and Sheehan had found out in early May his tumour had spread.
The Court Theatre paid tribute to Kerr on Facebook.
He worked in the theatre’s workshop for many years alongside his father Nigel, as a permanent member of its production team.
“He built many beautiful sets and always brought a calm, friendly energy to everything he worked on.
“He was also an amazing musician and composer and designed soundscapes for some Court Theatre shows, including the incredible Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in 2017,” the caption read.
“We will remember Henri as a gentle and highly skilled man, and send our thoughts to his family and friends.”