Patrick Swayze Had The Time Of His Life - page 2

19 September 2009

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"When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see. My heart goes out to his wife and childhood sweetheart Lisa Niemi, to his mom Patsy, and to the rest of their family."

Whoopi said: "Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can't ever repay. I believe in 'Ghost's' message, so he'll always be near."

Referring to the characters she and Patrick played in 'Ghost', Demi said: "Patrick you are loved by so many and your light will forever shine in all of our lives… And in the words of Sam to Molly, 'It's amazing Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.' I love and will miss you Patrick."

So Patrick's death has left a gaping hole in Hollywood, but, like his career, he gave everything to his battle and was determined to overcome it.

When he was first diagnosed with cancer in January 2008, initial reports claimed he had only weeks to live.

However, in January of this year he appeared on US TV to insist his battle was far from over.

He told TV interviewer Barbara Walters: "I'm scared and going through hell. Am I dying? Am I giving up? Am I on my death bed? Am I saying goodbye to people? No way.

"I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light."

Despite being an international heartthrob, Patrick remained loyal to his wife of 33 years, Lisa, and the couple renewed their wedding vows in the months leading up to his death.

Lisa spoke of his admiration at her spouse's determination to beat the disease.

She gushed: "I admire everything imaginable about Patrick, especially his courage, strength and humour."

Although this illness sadly proved to be fatal, Patrick had proved resilient in the past.

In 1994, he repeatedly lapsed into alcoholism as his father's death and sister's suicide took its toll.

In 1996, he broke both legs in a horse-riding stunt and in 2000 he made an emergency landing in the plane he was piloting and appeared to attempt to remove a crate of alcohol from the plane.

However, in recent years he made a comeback playing Nathan Detroit in the West End hit 'Guys and Dolls' in 2006.

Before his tragic death, Patrick had been starring in US TV show 'The Beast' and he was also planning to write a memoir with Lisa.

But instead of sitting down to write her cherished memories of Patrick, Lisa found herself organising her spouse's cremation, which happened just a few days after his death.

His ashes are currently being held at his lawyer's office and will stay there until Lisa arranges for them to be moved.

So while his family said their goodbyes in a private service, a public event is being planned in the town of Lake Lure, North Carolina, where much of where 'Dirty Dancing' was filmed.

And it seems only right Patrick is honoured in the place which fulfilled his lifelong ambition of showing the world his exquisite dance moves as well as giving a generation of women the time of their lives.

By Kate Randall

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