Ben Stokes’ Father Passes Away After Cancer Battle
England all-rounder Ben Stokes father Ged, who was himself a former rugby player for New Zealand, passed away on Tuesday after battling brain cancer.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ father has passed away after fighting a battle with brain cancer. He was diagnosed with the illness back in January earlier this year and was serious for close to five weeks.
Ged Stokes was a rugby league player and coach. The news of his passing away was confirmed by his former club Workington Town.
He was admitted to a hospital in Johannesburg then and was discharged later. Ged was at his home in Christchurch, New Zealand for the last few months where he passed away on Tuesday.
Ged Stokes’ Rugby Club Released The Statement
“It is with great sadness that we learn our former player and coach Ged Stokes has passed away,” the club wrote in a tribute on Twitter. “Ged is written into the rich fabric of Town history and will be greatly missed.
“Our thoughts are with Deb, Ben and James. Ged still has many, many friends here in West Cumbria and we send our thoughts to them too.”
Ben Stokes Very Closed To His Father
Ben Stokes was pretty close to his father as while leaving to play for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, he had stated that it was tough for him to bid adieu to Ged.
“Saying goodbye to my dad, my mum and my brother in Christchurch was tough,” Stokes had written in his column in the Daily Mirror two months back. “It has been a difficult time for us as a family, but we’ve pulled together and supported each other as best we can.
“And I was able to get on the plane with my parents’ love and blessing after we reached the decision, for me to get back playing, as a family with no external influences.”
During IPL 2020 and during the Pakistan Test series, when Stokes had scored a century, he dedicated it to his father with a three-fingered salute.
“My dad was very strong on the responsibilities I have,” Stokes added. “He told me I have a duty to do the job that I do and I have a duty as a husband and father as well.
“We gave it all a lot of thought and talked it over at length, and we came to a decision that now sees me back focusing on the game.”
