Third son tragedy for MSP Canavan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6470429.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Independent MSP Dennis Canavan has spoken of his grief over the death of a third son.

Mark, Mr Canavan's oldest son, died in Australia on Monday at the age of 41 after a three-year battle with motor neurone disease.

Mr Canavan, whose second son Dennis died in December from a brain tumour aged 35, said he was "lost for words".

A third son, Paul, died in 1989 at the age of 16 following an eight-month battle with skin cancer.

Mr Canavan, a former Labour MP who represents the Falkirk West constituency, said in a statement: "I find some comfort in the fact that I was able to visit Mark a few weeks ago along with my youngest son Adam, four.

His faith (Mark) was indestructible and he is now at peace with his brothers Dennis Canavan MSP

"We had some happy times together, including a Burns Supper in Mark's home. That is something I will always cherish."

He said Mark, who was married with a five-year-old son Tommy, had never had a serious illness in his life until three years ago.

He had graduated from Strathclyde University with an honours degree in engineering and travelled around the world before marrying his wife Sandra.

The couple eventually settled in Sandra's native Australia following a spell in Scotland.

'Condolence messages'

Mr Canavan said that although people had described Mark as losing his battle against motor neurone disease, his son would not see it in such a "defeatist way".

""His faith was indestructible and he is now at peace with his brothers," he said.

"His mother Elnor, his sister, Ruth, and I would like to thank all who have sent messages of condolence and I shall convey those messages to Sandra and Tommy when I see them later this week."

Mr Canavan's second son Dennis, a qualified nurse who had been studying for a degree at Stirling University, died in hospital in December after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in August.

He left a partner and two sons, 11-year-old Ciaran and Callum, aged nine.

Mr Canavan, one of Scotland's longest-serving politicians, announced in January that he would be standing down from Holyrood at the May election to spend more time with his family.