“He has left such a big hole in all of our lives.”
A massive Hibs fan who was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer after smelling candy floss has sadly died as his family pay heartfelt tributes. Steve Turnbull was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2024 after he experienced months of sickness, the smell of candy floss and issues with his vision and balance.
The 64-year-old passed away on January 27, leaving behind his loving family and friends. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, his brother Alan said Steve “remained positive” throughout his battle.
He was passionate about raising awareness for brain tumours and even took on the Dundee Kilt Walk to raise money for charity Brain Tumour Research. Steve had extensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy to manage the tumour’s size which extended his life to around 18 months.
Alan said Steve has “left a big hole” and was a man of many talents. He added: “By the time he was diagnosed, he was already stage four. It was just a case of managing it.
“He decided to go on a course of chemo and radiotherapy which extended his life to around 18 months. He always seemed so positive.
“He never really shared much with us. He would tell us the treatment he was going through but he would never really tell us the full story.
“I think he was trying to protect us and he never moaned about any of it.”
While working as an IT project manager in Letham, Steve also had many interests including music, magic and football. He was a dedicated Hibs supporter and would regularly attend matches with his brother.
Alan added: “Football was his main thing. We would always be on the Hibs supporter bus. He also played football at a decent level too. He was also trying to get around all the grounds in Scotland which I don’t think he managed but it was definitely one of his main passions.
“Steve absolutely loved magic too – he would always have a pack of cards with him. My sister-in-law tells a story about when they were in Turkey and their bus broke down. They were at the side of the road and he just got his cards out and started doing magic tricks.
“He was a drummer too and he would always carry a pair of drumsticks in the car. If he was stuck in traffic he would start playing on the steering wheel and tapping along to the music.
“I could go on forever talking about some of the things he loved. He would meet so much people and made a lot of different friends through different things.”
Steve was always telling jokes and was a big “family man”. His brother added: “If he came to birthdays or family events, you would always hear him before you saw him.
“He was always telling jokes and always had a story to tell. He has left such a big hole in all of our lives.”
The dad first started to become unwell just after New Year’s Day in 2024, when he vomited out of the blue after tasting gravy. He would regularly be hit with bizarre smells including candy floss.
His brother first noticed something was wrong at his niece’s wedding. Alan added: “He was kind of slurring his words.
“He doesn’t drink so I knew it wasn’t alcohol. His face was drooping and we thought he was maybe having a stroke.
“It was only a matter of weeks later we found out he had an aggressive brain tumour. He started having these weird smelling sensations and smelled of candy floss.
“He hadn’t been well for a matter of time and it got to the point where he had to go and get tests done.”
Steve’s niece and nephew, Erin and Rhys, are preparing to take on the Edinburgh Marathon in honour of their uncle. Erin, 23, said they are fundraising for Brain Tumour Research.
She added: “We just decided to go big or go home. As the weeks get closer it becomes a bit more daunting but it’s all for a good cause. The aim is just to cross the finish line and know that we’ve raised money for such a good cause in memory of my uncle.”
You can donate to the fundraisers here and here.
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