When Jay Fear was diagnosed with terminal appendix cancer in January 2023, his last wish was to meet Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, who’s also co-owner of Wrexham AFC.
“Choked up” when meeting the Wrexham football fan, Reynolds–praised for his generosity–doubled up on Fear’s wishes by having him at the game where the team ended a 15-year drought and won a promotion to the Football League.
Only one month after the team won that victory, Reynolds is mourning the death of the 45-year-old man, whom he says is one of the “bravest and kindest people” he’s ever met.
While recovering from his surgery last year, Fear, who was held up in bed, watched the docuseries Welcome to Wrexham and fell in love with the city, club and Wrexham FC’s celebrity owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
“I had no affiliation to Wrexham beforehand, but I just couldn’t help falling in love with the city and what they have both done for the club–and not just the club but for the area too,” Fear said. “In October 2021 I was diagnosed with appendix cancer and I had an operation in December and spent all of Christmas in hospital. When I came out in the new year last year I was pretty much sitting on the sofa and I couldn’t do anything, and I saw Welcome to Wrexham and found it so exciting.”
On January 11, Fear learned the cancer returned, giving him only months to live.
He had one last wish for him and his family: to meet Ryan Reynolds, the star of Marvel’s Deadpool.
The charity Bucket List Wishes, that helps terminal people realize their last dreams, helped arrange a meeting between Reynolds and Fear at Wrexham’s Racecourse stadium, hours before the team won its promotion to the Football League for the first time in 15 years.
The 46-year-old Reynolds, who after learning that Fear and his family would be at the game, sent a video saying, “…I want you to know that I’m in your corner and I hope I get to meet you in person one of these days, and I’m sending you tonnes of love.”
“They always say you should never meet your idol and this guy is definitely an exception to that,” Fear said after meeting Reynolds. “I’ve loved Ryan Reynolds since his Van Wilder days, but it turns out he’s a gent in real life too.”
On April 22, 2023–the day Wrexham won–Fear, his wife Deb and teenage children, Sam and Jess, were treated to a VIP day at the Racecourse.
'I want you to know that I'm in your corner and I hope I get to meet you in person'
— BBC Wales News (@BBCWalesNews) April 18, 2023
Ryan Reynolds has sent a video message to 45-year-old Jay Fear, a terminally ill Wrexham fan whose dying wish is to see the team playhttps://t.co/bohCLOHH89 pic.twitter.com/0wKUvlKN75
Fear’s son Sam posted a thoughtful message for Bucket List Wishes: “Thank you Bucket List Wishes. You have made Dad the happiest man alive, and I am truly grateful for all of your hard work.”
Meanwhile, Reynolds, a father of four, couldn’t help but praise the man.
“It was amazing to meet Jay. I wonder if I’d have the same unwavering joy if our roles were reversed,” Reynolds said. “He is an exceptional person and his family is wonderful. I got a little choked up talking to him and feeling how much his kids and wife are going to miss him.”
Not only did Fear get to meet his idol, he was also gifted a signed glove that Reynolds wore in the second Deadpool movie.
A huge fan, Fear shared his excitement with Reynolds over the upcoming Deadpool 3, which has an expected release date in May 2024.
“(Reynolds) went, ‘Well, we’re filming in six weeks so why don’t we get you guys up to London. Yeah, let’s make that happen,’” Fear said of the star’s invitation.
But it will never happen.
Fear died on May 25, 2023, and Reynolds led the tributes with a heartfelt message along with photos of meeting the family before the historic game.
“So grateful to have spent time with Jay Fear. He didn’t have much of it left. The fact he shared that time so freely with others is something I’ll never take for granted and never forget. This man lived. Sending all my love, respect and condolences to Deb, Jess and Sam”
Friends and fans jumped and commented on the post. “Blessings on Jay and his family,” writes Rob Liefield, who created the Deadpool character.
“You know what, you’re a proper legend,” shares a fan.
Fear’s brother Ian writes, “Thank you for making my brother and his family a forever memory. One that Debs Jess and Sam will cherish,” and his late wife, Deb, shares “Thank you so much. You truly made jay so happy and he was so thankful he got to met his hero. Its something we will always treasure xx.”
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