Beloved Virginia TV news anchor Mark Spain has died of pancreatic cancer.
The 64-year-old journalist had spent decades anchoring the news at ABC affiliate WSET-TV in Virginia before working in Indianapolis, Cleveland and Jacksonville.
The seasoned newsman was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer on November 27 and began undergoing chemotherapy on December 16, according to his Facebook posts.
However, two days later his wife, Lynita announced that he had succumbed to the disease.
In a lengthy social media post, the grieving wife said Spain was ‘a pillar of the community’ and spent his last weeks staying positive and fighting the disease.
Lynthia also commented on how much the journalist loved his job and thanked well-wishers for their messages.
‘Hello sunshines! It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my loving husband Mark. Our family along with the city of Lynchburg lost a man of hope, someone who loves his city and stood for equality, treating others with respect and kindness. He was a husband, father, brother, friend and a positive light in the community.
‘My first true love. He brought so much joy, compassion, love and strength into our lives, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. The last 23 years have been a wonderful journey filled with love, laughter and many wonderful memories. A journey that I would do all over again.
Beloved ABC affliate WSET-TV anchor Mark Spain has died of pancretic cancer . The 64-year-old had spent decades anchoring the news in Virginia , Indianapolis, Cleveland and Jacksonville
His wife noted how ‘surreal’ the loss felt just about three weeks after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
‘He fought hard, he stayed positive throughout the battle and wasn’t afraid. We have comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering, it was not easy watching him fight for his life and battle this disease, but he was not alone., and neither were we,’ she wrote.
‘He encouraged those around him. He loved to help others and longed for peace and was an ambassador for positivity. He loved his family and was extremely proud of his children. He also loved his job and felt so blessed to do what he did for a living. He was one hell of a journalist and took his job very seriously.’
Lynthia called him ‘a pillar of the community,’ adding how people loved to share how much they enjoyed watching him on the news.
‘As we navigate this difficult time, we take comfort in remembering the wonderful moments we shared with him. Your kindness and support mean the world to us. Friends, you showed up and showed out with love support during his fight!! You have all been amazing and a true village! I can’t thank you all enough for all of the prayers, cards, flowers, blankets, texts, comments and checking in on us,’ she said.
‘This new journey, one I never thought I’d be on, as a single parent will be a new and challenging one. God is walking along side us, guiding and protecting us. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers,’ she wrote.
Kristen Mirand, a reporter and anchor at Buffalo-based WKBW-TV and a former colleague of Spain’s at Sinclair-owned WSET-TV posted tribute for him – remembering him as an ‘incredible person who inspired everyone he met’.
The seasoned newsman was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer on November 27 and began undergoing chemotherapy on December 16, according to his Facebook posts. However, two days later his wife, Lynita announced that he had passed away from the disease
In a lengthy social media post, she noted that Spain, who was ‘a pillar of the community’, spent his last weeks staying positive and fighting against the disease
Lynthia also commented on how much the journalist loved his job and thanked well-wishers for their messages
Spain had started his news career as a paperboy for the Cleveland Press at merely nine years of age
‘To know Mark Spain was to know positivity, faith & kindness. He was the anchor at my last news station in VA.
More than a gifted journalist, he was an incredible person who inspired everyone he met Mark passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. His legacy will live on,’ she wrote in a sentimental X post.
Spain’s colleagues at WSET memorialized him and said in a statement: ‘His smile and positivity were known to his family, our team here at WSET, and the thousands across Lynchburg and beyond who welcomed Mark into their homes each night on TV.
‘When he first addressed the community regarding his cancer diagnosis in early December, he echoed that familiar sunny outlook despite the heavy situation. His battle against cancer was not fought alone.’
Jacksonville’s First Coast News, where Spain worked for 14 years, also remembered the anchor.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. He always worked to better the First Coast in every story he produced.
‘Our thoughts are with his wife Lynita and his three children during this difficult time,’ General Manager Tim Thomas said.
Spain had started his news career as a paperboy for the Cleveland Press at merely nine years of age.
He went on to major in Communications from the Cleveland State University and collected accolades like 2018 and 2019 Best News Anchor award from the Association Press of the Virginias.
Apart from his wife, Spain is survived by two daughters and a son.