JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We have a heartbreaking update for you.

Former Action News Jax anchor Mark Spain passed away just weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Spain was an evening anchor on Action News Jax from 2007 to 2014.

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Related: Former Action News Jax anchor Mark Spain has been diagnosed with cancer

He was known for the Kid Care Report, which investigated violations suffered by local day care centers during their inspections by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

After I left Jacksonville, Spain and his family moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, and were an anchor there WSET ABC 13 since 2015.

His family released this statement on social media on Thursday:

Hello sunshine! It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my loving husband Mark. Our family and the city of Lynchburg have lost a man of hope, someone who loved his city, stood for equality and treated others with respect and kindness. He was a husband, father, brother, friend and a positive light in the community. My first true love. He brought so much joy, compassion, love and strength into our lives, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. The last 23 years have been a wonderful journey full of love, laughter and many wonderful memories. A trip that I would do again at any time.

It’s surreal that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer three weeks ago exactly yesterday. Our family was by his side from the beginning of the fight to the end to his last breath! He fought hard, stayed positive throughout the fight and wasn’t afraid. We are comforted to know that he is no longer suffering. It wasn’t easy watching him fight for his life and this disease, but he wasn’t alone, and neither were we.

He encouraged the people around him. He loved helping others, longed for peace and was an ambassador of positivity. He loved his family and was very proud of his children. He also loved his job and felt so blessed to do what he did for a living. He was a great journalist and took his job very seriously. He was a pillar of the community and people were happy to share how much they loved him and enjoyed seeing him on the news.

As we navigate this difficult time, we console ourselves with the memories of the wonderful moments we spent with him. Your kindness and support mean a lot to us. Friends, you showed up and lovingly supported him during his fight!! You were all amazing and a real village! I can’t thank you enough for all the prayers, cards, flowers, blankets, texts, comments and feedback.

This new journey, which I never thought I would take as a single parent, will be a new and challenging journey. God walks by our side, guides and protects us. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

With love,

The Spanish family

Related: Former Action News Jax anchor Mark Spain has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer

Spain was 64 years old.

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