Canvey: Tributes to Leisure Island Fun Park owner's son Charley

Charley Petty, 30, was hit with the devastating diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer at just 26-years-old in March 2020. Despite multiple surgeries, the much-loved son and brother sadly passed away surrounded by his family earlier this month.

Charley’s dad, Scott, and mum, Tina, own Leisure Island Fun Park, on Canvey, and have been left heartbroken by his death, but thanked residents for their overwhelming support.

Heartbreaking - Family left devastated by Charley's passing (Image: Kerrie Petty)

His devastated wife, Kerrie Petty, 31, said: “We are absolutely devastated. There is a massive void in our lives that was originally filled by Charley’s presence. I am personally at peace as he is no longer in pain and suffering, but waking up each morning without him is still so hard.

“He was such a caring and selfless man. He would always put others first. Even when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, he was always concerned with the welfare of others and put himself second. There is so much we could say about how special Charley was.”

Love - Charley with his wife Kerrie (Image: Kerrie Petty)

Charley was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer at the end of March 2020 whilst studying for his master’s degree at the University of Portsmouth.

Before he was diagnosed, his family claim he attended the GP multiple times with bowel problems and blood in his faeces. The family say that these are typical symptoms for a person with bowel cancer. However, as he was 26 at the time, it was not considered at first.

Charley was later admitted to A&E in March 2020 as the tumour had caused blood sepsis and that was when it was discovered.

Tragic - Charley has sadly passed away (Image: Kerrie Petty)

Kerrie said: “Charley had multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. He was relatively unaffected by the treatment. If he didn’t have a PICC line in his arm, you wouldn’t believe he was a cancer patient.

“I received so many messages from people across the world who always mentioned how positive he was for a man with a terminal illness.”

Unfortunately, the cancer spread to Charley’s lungs and lymph nodes, and later in February 2024 it had spread to his brain.

Close - Charley with his parents and brothers (Image: Kerrie Petty)

Despite the tragic circumstances, Kerrie praised Southend Hospital, and thanked them for the special care Charley received.

The Petty family have been described as extremely close, and his dad Scott, 56, his mum Tina, 62, and three brothers, Aaron, 42, Alfie, 32, and Jack, 28, say they have been hit "incredibly hard" by his passing.

Charley’s dad, Scott Petty, added: “As a family we are absolutely heartbroken.

“The pain we are all feeling is unbearable.

“We would like to thank everyone who has sent us messages of comfort, flowers and cards.”