Tasmanian paramedic Adam smith remembered as a 'hero' after cancer battle

But after being diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer in April last year, the fight for his own life began. Sadly, on January 23, the 42-year-old took his last breath.

His wife Kahlia said he was peaceful and not in pain.

It came almost 12 months on from the sudden cancer diagnosis, and a rollercoaster ride to survive.

This included a community fundraising campaign "Aid for an Ambo" that has already raised more than $30,000 for Adam and his family.

Today, Kahlia along with their two children Fletcher, 4, and Thea, 2, will say goodbye to a man being remembered as the "best dad, husband, friend and colleague anyone could ask for".

Born in Devonport in 1978, Adam went to Nixon Street Primary School, Devonport High and later Don College. After studying computers at TAFE, he went on to work in IT with the Northern Midlands Council - a role he held for seven years.

But it was in 1999 when he started volunteering with Ambulance Tasmania at Ulverstone that he found his true purpose. By 2007 he launched a career as a student paramedic.

As friend and Ambulance Tasmania colleague Scott Fyfe recalled, Adam struggled with the transition, but this was just one example of his focus and determination to succeed.

Once qualified, Adam went on to work out of most of Ambulance Tasmania's Northern branch stations. It was in the Launceston mess room where he first met Kahlia, a fellow paramedic.

"They were discussing food and she said she wanted to have sushi, so he said 'OK lets try it'," Scott recalled. "He didn't like it. But from then on Adam said she wouldn't leave him alone."

The couple were married in September 2013 - the only time Adam ever wore a tie.

By this stage he was two years into an intensive care paramedic course. He would later complete a graduate certificate in Aeromedical Retrieval from Monash University and take up a position as an intensive care flight paramedic.

"Adam loved his job and felt this is where he wanted to be. He loved it when Kahlia, Fletcher and Thea would visit him on shift and the kids loved to see the plane and airport," Mr Fyfe said.

"Even a few weeks ago when Kahlia and the kids drove past the Ambulance hangar Fletcher proudly stated 'my daddy used to work there'."

In February 2020, Adam was working as the duty manager of aero-medical retrieval when he visited his GP.

After a routine blood test revealed abnormalities, he was rushed to Launceston General Hospital.

Here, he was told he needed surgery for stage four bowel cancer.

The cancer had also spread to his bones, and soon he lost the use of his arms.

But determined to continue treatment, Kahlia said he didn't complain once - despite losing control of his body, including the ability to communicate.

"He might be home for a month or two and then he would get sick again. So, it was a bit of a revolving door of in hospital and out of hospital," she said.

"He loved the extra time he got to spend with the family at home. And he never once complained about the fact that he was so unwell."

Within days of his cancer diagnosis, a GoFundMe campaign was launched in support of the Smith family.

Kahlia said she had been overwhelmed by the outreach of the community during what had been a heartbreaking time.

"I am just taking it day by day. I've got amazing support around me, from family and friends, to colleagues. Ambulance Tasmania as a whole has been amazing," she said.

"But we are obviously heartbroken. Because as much as we expected it ... he had a terminal illness, we knew he was going to pass away, but it all happened very quickly in the end.

"It was still quite a shock and obviously upsetting for myself, and a lot of other people.

"I am just so proud of him and everything he has achieved."

Fortunately, Adam was able to spend some time at home with his family before his death. Mr Fyfe said it was this that brought him the most joy.

"In summary Adam told me these were what made him most happy - at home with his family, at a race track, at the family shack, at work and finally sitting working on a computer of some description," he said.

"Adam was incredibly grateful that he got to see Thea walk, got to see Fletcher and Thea at their swimming lessons, got to have a family Christmas at the shack and got to spend some more time with Kahlia."

Aero-medical and special operations manager Gary White said Adam showed a passionate commitment to his career, caring for patients all over Tasmania.

"He was held in the highest regards by his colleagues - a true gentleman and a dedicated professional, as well as a loving father and husband. He will be sadly missed by all of Ambulance Tasmania."