A DUNFERMLINE dad has died from terminal cancer just days after spending his last Christmas with his wife and children.

Bus driver Rab Feeley, 40, spoke to the Press in November after generous friends and colleagues raised £3,000 to let his family have one last memorable Christmas together.

The father-of-five suffered from kidney cancer but hoped treatment would prolong his life so he could spend another year or two with his young family.

At his funeral at Dunfermline Crematorium last Friday, Stagecoach colleagues brought a bus with his name displayed as a tribute to the man who was described as a “gentleman”.

His wife Tracy, 33, said: “Making it through Christmas was genuinely everything.

“Rab got his last Christmas, that’s all he wanted and I’m so glad he got it.

“He deteriorated very quickly but, honestly, I knew he wouldn’t last a year like he hoped. The cancer was just too aggressive.

“The last time he spoke was the night before he died, and he told me he loved me.”

Rab’s family enjoyed a holiday together at Centre Parcs in December but after returning, he went to hospital to find that none of the treatment he had been receiving was working.

The dad then went to Queen Margaret Hospice to have fluid drained off his stomach but he never returned home after his health deteriorated rapidly.

Doctors did everything they could to prolong his life so he could get his final wish.

“The Friday before Christmas we were told he wouldn’t last 24 hours,” Tracy explained.

“The next day he asked where his tea and toast was!

“Rab wanted to get home for Christmas but that wasn’t possible. However, the doctors did everything they could to boost him.

“I stayed by his side the whole time but he was in and out of consciousness the whole week.

“However, he still had his sense of humour until the end.”

Rab’s family all shared Christmas Day together at the hospice decked out in elf costumes.

The Feeleys had been planning the day for months following Rab’s diagnosis in late August.

He told the Press in November that he’d “never had a sick day” in his life.

Following a week of radiotherapy in the summer, doctors realised there was not much they could do to help Rab. He had a tumour that started from the top of his ribs all the way to his hip bone on his right side, taking up half of his torso.

Rab lost five stone within a short time and his hair also turned grey.

“Christmas Day was the last time the children saw their dad,” Tracy added.

“Being in the hospice was not what we expected but I genuinely believe it’s how you make it which makes the difference.

“We all really thought about the gifts we gave each other. We got some family members a helicopter ride because we’ve realised life is too short.

“I named a star after Rab and he gave me a necklace with a fingerprint of his wedding finger on.

“We also gave the kids a build-a-bear toy and when they squeeze them they’ll hear Rab’s voice – there wasn’t a dry eye when we handed over those.

“So, a lot of effort was put in. It was a bittersweet time.”

Around 250 people attended Rab’s funeral last Friday. Dunfermline Crematorium was packed with family, colleagues and friends.

Tracy said: “The amount of support I’ve had from neighbours and friends has been incredible.

“His colleagues raised £2,000 firstly to give us a great Christmas and then they also raised £400 from a Christmas jumper day.

“People were so generous for the collection at the funeral – £600 will go to the hospice. I am so thankful to everyone for their help and thoughtfulness.”