An Island widower suffering from prostate cancer has got back in his garden and tied the knot once again. 64-year-old Christopher Ryan-Taylor moved to Newport from Southampton back in 2016 to be with his late partner, Colin – a born and bred Islander. Having settled on the Island in their 1st year, 12 months later the couple tied the knot but fast forward to 2022 and Colin was admitted to hospital after falling and fracturing his shoulder. Unfortunately, liver problems complicated any chance of recovery for Colin and, sadly, he died in June of that year. But that wasn’t the end of the trauma for Christopher. He says:
“A month later, out of the blue, I passed some blood while urinating. I contacted my doctors, and they asked me to come in immediately. “Up until that time I had never had a day’s illness, had not seen a doctor for 10 years, and never been to hospital.”
In just a few weeks, Chris was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 cancer, for which there is no cure. Whilst the experienced web designer was getting to terms with all the change in his life, he began speaking to a man in Peterborough (Gareth) on a Facebook gardening group. The man’s own husband had passed away at the same time as Colin as a result of a heart attack. 
Speaking on their virtual meeting, Christopher has said:
“The connection was immediate, and we spoke continually on the phone. He was due to come to the Island for a few days for a break just after my diagnosis. I asked him not to, as I had so much to deal with, but he insisted. “When it was time for him to go back to Peterborough, he said he was going back to tell his employer he wanted a career break of four months or else he would resign, bearing in mind he had 12 years’ good service behind him. “He was adamant he wasn’t going to let me go through chemotherapy on my own, as I knew hardly anyone here. True to his word, his employer agreed, and he moved in with me three weeks later.”
Following his career break, Gareth moved to the Island, securing a job in the process and encouraged Chris to get back into his gardening. Chris has a website where he uploads images of his garden as well as blogging about his horticultural experiences. Speaking on the joy his garden brings to the community, Christopher has said:
“Over the past 2 years, it has been amazing how many people have stopped and looked at the plants on their way to Sainsbury’s. Many people have told me how the colours and plants lift their spirits, and that has helped me immensely.”
In January 2024, Christopher’s PSA levels went through the roof and an MRI scan showed that the cancer had appeared again in multiple areas of his bones, most notably his spine. The 64-year-old is currently undergoing more treatments which are working to control the cancer. Last month (27th June) Christopher and Gareth got married. Speaking on the decision, Christopher has said:
“It wasn’t a quick decision, but despite everything that happened in both of our lives the past 2 years, it was inevitable.”
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Congratulations on your recent wedding. How marvellous that in the midst of a number of serious problems and losses you have found one another. My husband and I send our best wishes for the future.
Best of Luck, and be Happy!!
Don’t you mean husband and wife.