British DJ Graeme Park confirmed the death of his 18-year-old son Oliver following a ‘year-long battle with cancer.’
Park, who is best known for his role at The Hacienda and the evolution of club culture, shared a family statement on social media from his wife Jenny and Oliver’s twin brother Ben on Wednesday evening.
The statement read: ‘Today our hearts were broken forever.
‘After a year long battle with cancer, it finally got the better of you, our amazingly strong and gorgeous boy.
‘You were such a kind, loving and beautiful soul and I will never understand why you were taken from us? It was far too soon. You had so much more love to offer this world.’
The statement said that the teen ‘never once got angry, complained or felt sad’ following his cancer diagnosis.
It continued: ‘You were a true warrior throughout and fought so hard until the very end. We will love and miss you every single day for the rest of our lives, Ol.
‘The power and love we feel from your guiding spirit is all around us and will provide us and Ben, your twin, with the strength to carry on. Especially when times get too tough.
‘We love you Ol, so, so much and even though you’re not here in your physical body, the strength you provide us with and your loving strong spirit will be with us always.
‘We love you so much, Oliver Park and thank you for sharing 18 years of your precious life with us.’
The British house music DJ, 59, is also known as one of the original founders of the UK’s rave scene, particularly for his leading role at The Hacienda nightclub in Manchester which became famous during the ‘Madchester’ era.
He also plays a major role in the Hacienda Classical shows which have performed live shows around the UK since 2016, including opening the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 2017.
