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Nicholas “Nick” Adamski, the husband of ABC 7 Chicago Traffic Anchor Diane Pathieu, has died at age 42Adamski had been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer in December 2020, after a seizure led to him being rushed to the hospital“He was a man who served others, uplifted everyone he met and never stopped smiling — even through the hardest days,” Pathieu said of Adamski following his death Tuesday, May 27
A Chicago TV news anchor’s husband has died at just 42 years old after being diagnosed in recent years with brain cancer.
Diane Pathieu, an ABC 7 Chicago traffic anchor, said that her husband, Nicholas “Nick” Adamski, died in hospice on Tuesday, May 27, per ABC 7. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in 2020.
Pathieu shared a black-and-white photograph of Adamski on Instagram alongside a heartfelt message to announce his death. It came just days after a post revealing her plans to take time away from social media to focus on caring for him.
“My angel, Nicholas ‘Nick’ Adamski, has gained his wings. He was surrounded by love and peace,” Pathieu wrote in the caption of her announcement. “Firefighter. Husband. Advocate. Hero.”
“Nick faced stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer with unmatched courage, grace and an unshakable belief in PMA — Positive Mental Attitude,” she continued. “He was a man who served others, uplifted everyone he met and never stopped smiling — even through the hardest days.”
“Forever in our hearts. I love you for always, sweetheart,” Pathieu concluded. “Keep that PMA. Love hard. Help others. And never, ever give up, and as Nick would say, ‘Peace and veggie grease.’ ”
The comment section of the post was flooded with messages from people sharing their condolences.
Before being diagnosed with brain cancer on Dec. 21, 2020, Adamski was a beloved member of the Milwaukee Fire Department and was awarded the Medal of Valor for saving an infant from a fire, ABC 7 reported.
Adamski previously recounted that he was diagnosed after a seizure caused him to collapse just before Christmas in 2020. He was rushed to Lutheran General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cancer despite having previously had no symptoms.
“The only thing I remember is my right leg going up and shaking everything,” Adamski said, per ABC 7. “After that, I couldn’t tell you anything.”
He was given slightly over a year to live, even once he began treatment for the “aggressive” disease that is the most common type of malignant brain tumor in adults.
As he continued to defy the odds throughout the years, the former firefighter became an advocate for hope with his signature message of “PMA: Positive Mental Attitude” amid his treatment for the disease, per the outlet.
Pathieu joined her husband in being a speaker at the annual Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Minds Matter event in 2023, with the aim of fundraising for brain cancer. Photos from the event shared on Facebook and Instagram appeared to show them in good spirits.
Nicholas ‘Nick’ Adamski and Diane Pathieu.
Diane Pathieu/Instagram
Following Adamski’s death this week, the American Brain Tumor Association referenced Pathieu’s Instagram tribute to him alongside a photo of the couple shared on their Facebook page.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Nicholas ‘Nick’ Adamski, beloved husband of ABC7 Chicago’s Diane Pathieu,” the group wrote. “A devoted firefighter, fierce advocate, and GBM warrior, Nick faced grade 4 glioblastoma with extraordinary courage, grace, and his signature PMA—Positive Mental Attitude. 💙
“Through every challenge, Nick never stopped smiling. He served others, inspired hope, and uplifted everyone around him,” the ABTA added. “His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him—and in the countless lives he touched.
“To Diane and all who loved him, the ABTA community stands with you in love and remembrance. As Nick would say: ‘Peace and veggie grease,’ ” they said, echoing Pathieu’s post.
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