Goodbye Patrick - Sleep With the Angels

With beloved wife Lisa

Dirty Dancing star Patrick Swayze has died aged 57. The much loved actor, who had been battling pancreatic cancer for nearly two years, died with family at his side on Monday.
Swayze was diagnosed with advanced stage four pancreatic cancer in January last year.
The actor had been starring in the TV show 'The Beast' since being diagnosed with the disease. He had also planned to write a memoir with his wife.

Jennifer Grey, who co-starred with Swayze in Dirty Dancing, said in a statement: "Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace. Gorgeous and strong, he was a real cowboy with a tender heart.
"He was fearless and insisted on always doing his own stunts, so it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified."

He was always uncomfortable with the Hollywood sex symbol tag. Rob Lowe, who played in a number of films with Swayze, said: "Patrick lived a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime. He was an expert dancer, he wrote hit songs, he starred in hit movies, he was an amazing horseman.
"But the thing I will remember him most for was his amazing love affair with his wife Lisa."

Greg Kilday, the film editor for Hollywood Reporter, said Swayze was "in the tradition of a performer like Gene Kelly, who invested dance and romance with a real masculine athletic appeal".

In January, Patrick admitted he might only have two years to live, but denied he was near death. In a TV interview, he admitted he was "scared" and "going through hell".
"Am I dying? Am I giving up? Am I on my death bed? Am I saying goodbye to people? No way," Swayze told TV interviewer Barbara Walters.
"I keep dreaming of a future, a future with a long and healthy life, not lived in the shadow of cancer but in the light," he said.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most virulent forms of cancer which medical experts say has a 5% five-year survival rate. Patrick fought his disease very publicly. Paparazzi did not have the decency to give him a little space, a little respect. We saw articles and pictures everywhere. The photos chronicled the progress of his illness. We saw Patrick becoming more gaunt, stooped, with increasing pain written on his face. He fought bravely and with dignity. He will be sadly missed.We are very sad for your loss Lisa.

What are your memories of Patrick Swayze? How do you think he will be remembered?

Pictured with Barbara Walters on the day their interview