‘Healthy’ father-of-two, 51, told his symptoms were due to needing new glasses – but it was a brain tumour. He died just six days after diagnosis
A ‘fit and healthy’ father-of-two dismissed aches and pains he suffered for a year as signs of ageing—before being diagnosed with a brain tumour and dying less than a week later, his devastated wife has revealed.
Sports teacher Glenn Colmer, 51, was hit by a massive, sudden seizure at his home in Southampton on February 18, and was rushed to hospital.
Scans revealed a mass on his brain—and four days after, medics diagnosed a high-grade glioma, one of the deadliest types of brain tumour.
He died on February 28, with his wife, Ali, and their two children Grace, 19, and Joe, 16, and other close family at his bedside.
In the year leading up to his death, Mr Colmer had been suffering from unusual fatigue, headaches, and dizzy spells.
His GP prescribed pain medicine and suggested he may need new glasses—and, according to Ali, he believed his symptoms were simply due to his age.
Still reeling from the loss, she described her late husband as ‘strong, active, and the healthiest man [she] knew’.
Mr Colmer’s family are sharing his story to spread awareness of the ‘indiscriminate’ cancer—and raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
Sports teacher Glenn Colmer, 51, dismissed aches and pains he suffered for a year as signs of ageing—before being diagnosed with a brain tumour and dying less than a week later
Ali said: ‘In the space of ten unthinkable days, we went from thinking Glenn had had a seizure, to holding his hand as he slipped away from us.
‘You never think it’s going to happen to your family. Glenn was the healthiest man I knew: strong and active, full of life and laughter.
‘He was a brilliant husband, an incredible dad, and he had this amazing way of making people feel better just by being around them.
‘We always joked that he was invincible.’
The seizure was the first sign that something was seriously wrong, recalls Ali.
Mr Colmer had not long woken up, when he froze while putting on his dressing gown.
He was silent, and his left arm was locked in place—as he stared blankly ahead.
Ali said: ‘I asked if he was okay. He replied: “No, I’m not.” Moments later, Glenn collapsed and began violently shaking, gasping for air.
Still reeling from the loss, wife Ali described her late husband as ‘strong, active, and the healthiest man I knew’
Mr Colmer’s family are sharing his story to spread awareness of the ‘indiscriminate’ cancer —and raise money for Brain Tumour Research
‘I called an ambulance, staying calm for his sake, whispering words of reassurance until help arrived.
‘The paramedics were quick to respond. Although the seizure had passed, Glenn was in visible pain, particularly in his arm which had locked during the seizure.
‘His eyes were vacant. The trauma was immediate and life-altering.’
Glenn, who worked as the Director of Curriculum for Sports and Protective Services at Itchen Sixth Form College, was taken to hospital where he was told he had a mass on his brain.
Four days later, he, Ali, and their two children Grace, 19, and Joe, 16, were told the mass was a high-grade glioma brain tumour.
These are fast-growing brain tumours that are often fatal, even with treatment.
The most aggressive form, glioblastoma, can progress rapidly—sometimes within days—leaving little time for diagnosis or intervention.
In the UK, around 2,200 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma—the most common high-grade glioma—each year.
The disease killed the Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell in 2018. And in March 2022, The Wanted singer Tom Parker died following an 18-month battle with the cancer.
Globally, glioblastoma affects between three and five people per 100,000 annually.
While rare compared to other cancers, they are disproportionately deadly, with a five-year survival rate of less than 5five per cent.
Recalling the moment of her husband’s diagnosis, Ali said: ‘It was horrendous. My world fell apart.
‘The doctor tried to explain the scan; Glenn didn’t want to look. He couldn’t. He wasn’t ready.
‘His expression, once so full of life, humour, and warmth, was robbed from him, replaced with silence and vacancy.
‘His right side remained weak, and the vibrant man who once did every sport imaginable now needed help with the most basic tasks.’
Tom Parker, singer in boyband The Wanted, died in March 2022 aged just 33, following a year-and-a-half long battle with glioblastoma
The disease is the most common type of cancerous brain tumour in adults—and it killed the Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell in 2018.
Glenn was discharged from hospital but the pain worsened as he returned home.
‘For Glenn, a man who had been so fit and healthy, it was unbearable,’ Ali said. ‘He refused visitors. He didn’t want people to see him this way.’
By February 25, Glenn’s pain was excruciating and another ambulance was called.
A new MRI confirmed a bleed on Glenn’s brain and he lost the use of the right side of his body.
Over the next few days, Glenn declined further. He was vomiting, became unable to speak, and lost the ability to swallow.
However, he continued to communicate with his family.
Ali said: ‘He kept reaching for my engagement ring and the children’s hands, squeezing tightly as if to say “goodbye”.
‘He placed my hand on his heart, as if to say “thank you”. Though no one had said it yet, I could see that Glenn was dying.’
Glenn was moved to the ICU and placed on a ventilator, and his mum and brother joined Ali, Grace, and Joe at the hospital.
Brain tumours can trigger personality changes, communication problems, seizures and fatigue
Ali said: ‘Even as his body began to shut down and he was unable to speak, Glenn remained present. He kept reaching out, holding hands, squeezing gently.’
A neurosurgeon later confirmed the worst: that Glenn had suffered another catastrophic brain bleed and there was no hope of recovery.
Ali was then forced to make the devastating decision to remove Glenn’s life support— and he died surrounded by family.
Glenn spent two decades at Itchen College—during which time he dedicated himself to nurturing young sports stars.
Among those he mentored were former Southampton FC defender Aaron Martin, Olympic marathon runner Mahamed Mahamed, boxing champion Ryan Garner, and NBA basketball star Jeremy Sochan.
Ali said: ‘Glenn was more than his diagnosis. He was a mentor, a joker, a passionate teacher and friend.
‘His funeral was a testament to the life he lived, over 500 people attended, including former students and colleagues from as far as the USA.
‘He touched lives across the world. He made people feel seen, valued, and inspired.’
Mr Colmer died on February 28, with his wife, Ali, and their two children Grace, 19, and Joe, 16, at his bedside. Pictures, Mr Colmer kissing one of his children when they were a baby
To commemorate his life and raise money for Brain Tumour Research, Glenn’s family, friends, and colleagues have organised a charity golf day on August 1 at Southampton Municipal Golf Course – Glenn’s favourite.
Glenn’s son Joe will tee off the event, and a memorial bench is planned for the 18th hole.
So far, more than £3,000 has been raised in Glenn’s honour. To donate, visit their JustGiving page.
Katrina Jones, head of Community and Digital Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: ‘We are deeply grateful to Glenn’s family and friends for bravely sharing his story.
‘Glenn’s sudden and devastating diagnosis highlights the cruel reality of brain tumours: they can strike anyone, at any time, regardless of health or lifestyle.
‘His legacy as a much-loved teacher and mentor lives on in the lives he touched, and now in the vital awareness and funds being raised in his name.
‘We desperately need more investment in research to improve outcomes and offer hope to families like Glenn’s.’
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer – and more men under 75 than prostate cancer.
Yet, just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to brain tumours.
