A Chicago TV news anchor’s hero firefighter husband has died after years of battling stage 4 brain cancer.
ABC 7 Chicago traffic anchor Diane Pathieu’s husband, Nicholas “Nick” Adamski, died “peacefully” in hospice care on May 27, the outlet reported.
He was 42 years old.
Adamski, who served with the Milwaukee Fire Department, received a stage 4 glioblastoma diagnosis in December 2020 following a sudden collapse just before the Christmas period.
Pathieu shared a black-and-white photo of her husband announcing her death on Thursday in a touching post on Instagram.
“My angel, Nicholas “Nick” Adamski, has gained his wings. He was surrounded by love and peace. Firefighter. Husband. Advocate. Hero,” Pathieu wrote.
“Nick faced stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer with unmatched courage, grace, and an unshakable belief in PMA—Positive Mental Attitude.”
The Chicago news anchor described her husband as someone who will be remembered for his dedication to serving others, uplifting everyone he encountered, and maintaining a smile—even during the toughest times.
“Forever in our hearts. I love you for always sweetheart,” she wrote.
“Keep that PMA. Love hard. Help others. And never, ever give up, and as Nick would say ‘peace and veggie grease.’”
The post announcing her husband’s death came days after Pathieu shared on X that she would be stepping away from work “for a bit” to care for him.
During his time as a Milwaukee firefighter, Adamski had earned the Medal of Valor for saving an infant from a fire, according to ABC 7.
However, his life changed when he was rushed to Lutheran General Hospital in 2020 after collapsing.
His devastating cancer diagnosis came despite having no prior symptoms, and he was given slightly over a year to live.
“The only thing I remember is my right leg going up and shaking everything,” Adamski told ABC 7 in 2022.
“After that, I couldn’t tell you anything.”
For years, Adamski defied expectations, advocating for hope through his engagements on podcasts, television, and radio, where he shared his famous message of “PMA: Positive Mental Attitude.”
Following his death, the American Brain Tumor Association referenced Pathieu’s Instagram tribute to him on their Facebook page.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Nicholas “Nick” Adamski, beloved husband of ABC7 Chicago’s Diane Pathieu. A devoted firefighter, fierce advocate, and GBM warrior, Nick faced grade 4 glioblastoma with extraordinary courage, grace, and his signature PMA—Positive Mental Attitude,” the association wrote.
“Through every challenge, Nick never stopped smiling. He served others, inspired hope, and uplifted everyone around him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him—and in the countless lives he touched.
“To Diane and all who loved him, the ABTA community stands with you in love and remembrance. As Nick would say: “Peace and veggie grease.”
Adamski is survived by Pathieu, his devoted parents, stepfather, loving in-laws, brother, two sisters-in-law, two cherished nieces, and a nephew, according to his obituary in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
