Nicholas "Nick" Adamski, husband of ABC 7 Chicago traffic anchor Diane Pathieu, has died at age 42 after a nearly four-year battle with brain cancer.
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He passed away in hospice on May 27, surrounded by family. In 2020, doctors diagnosed him with stage 4 glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers.
Pathieu shared the news in an emotional Instagram post. Alongside a black-and-white photo of Adamski, she honored his memory and strength.
"My angel, Nicholas 'Nick' Adamski, has gained his wings. He was surrounded by love and peace," she wrote. "Firefighter. Husband. Advocate. Hero."
She went on to praise his resilience, adding: "Nick faced stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer with unmatched courage, grace, and an unshakable belief in PMA -- Positive Mental Attitude. He was a man who served others, uplifted everyone he met, and never stopped smiling, even through the hardest days."
In closing, she offered a message rooted in his legacy: "Keep that PMA. Love hard. Help others. And never, ever give up. And as Nick would say, 'Peace and veggie grease.'"
Life of Service and Strength
Before his illness, Adamski served with distinction in the Milwaukee Fire Department. Notably, he earned the department's Medal of Valor after rescuing an infant from a fire.
However, his life changed dramatically just before Christmas in 2020. After collapsing from a sudden seizure, he was rushed to Lutheran General Hospital. There, he received the devastating diagnosis --glioblastoma, despite having shown no symptoms prior.
"The only thing I remember is my right leg going up and shaking everything," Adamski recalled in an earlier interview. "After that, I couldn't tell you anything."
Doctors initially gave him just over a year to live. Even so, Adamski continued to fight, defying the odds with a smile and an uplifting attitude.
Turning Cancer Into Purpose
In the years that followed, Adamski didn't just battle cancer, he inspired others. He and Pathieu became active advocates for brain cancer awareness.
For example, in 2023, they spoke at the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute's Minds Matter fundraising event.
Photos from the evening showed them laughing and standing strong, a testament to the enduring spirit of hope they shared.Following his passing, the
American Brain Tumor Association posted a tribute on Facebook, calling Adamski a "GBM warrior" and praising his unwavering optimism."Through every challenge, Nick never stopped smiling," the group wrote. "He served others, inspired hope, and uplifted everyone around him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him and in the countless lives he touched."
