Ink Master star Ryan Hadley died on Thursday evening at just 46, after a difficult months-long battle with cancer.
Hadley, who appeared on season six of the reality show, suffered from a germ cell tumor called seminoma that started as testicular cancer and then spread.
“Ryan left this world last night surrounded by loved ones,” read an announcement posted to his Instagram page on Friday.
“Although his life was cut short, he left a legacy in both the art and tattoo worlds during that time,” the message continued.
“He loved his many fans, his friends and customers, and especially his children. He will be missed and always remembered. A legend forever. #rip #f***cancer’.
Ink Master star Ryan Hadley died Thursday evening at just 46, after a difficult months-long battle with cancer; pictured with his sons last month
The death announcement was accompanied by a black and white photo of him beaming as he applied a tattoo to a client.
Hadley, who is survived by two sons under the age of 13, began chemotherapy in December with the help of a GoFundMe launched by his family.
“I’m only 45 years old and I’m not ready to leave here,” he wrote on Instagram after completing his first week of treatments. ‘I will not abandon my children and loved ones. I’m here fighting one day at a time.”
He was able to return to work in January, but the cancer spread to his lungs and liver and chemotherapy failed to stop its progression.
In late April he announced that his illness was terminal, writing: “This is an untreatable cancer in my liver and death is the result.”
Hadley pondered, “Maybe I’ll stay here another week, maybe three more months, either way, I’m devastated to be leaving my kids behind.”
He added: “Death doesn’t scare me in any way. It’s the fact that I’m being abandoned with my children that irritates me and I can’t do anything about it. I’ll keep everyone updated on all of this to some extent. I’ll be signing off forever soon.’
During the few months he had left, he continued to take solace in his love of tattoos and posted images of his handiwork on social media.
Hadley, who appeared on season six of the reality show (pictured), suffered from a germ cell tumor called seminoma, which started as testicular cancer and then spread
“Ryan left this world last night surrounded by loved ones,” read an announcement posted to his Instagram page on Friday, accompanied by a photo of him at work
“I’m only 45 years old and I’m not ready to leave here yet,” he wrote on Instagram in December after completing his first week of chemotherapy
In May, he was able to make the trip from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he lived, to Columbus, Ohio for the Hell City Tattoo Festival, where he was photographed with influencer Big Gus.
In May, he was able to make the trip from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he lived, to Columbus, Ohio for a local chapter of the Hell City Tattoo Festival.
Apparently he continued working until the end of the month, posting a short video on May 30 of an arm tattoo he had apparently just completed.
But on Monday, his loved ones posted to his Instagram to reveal they were raising money for his end-of-life expenses.
“Ryan would like to thank everyone for the support over the years,” they wrote alongside a photo of him with his sons. “He has always been very proud of his work.”