WSET Anchor Mark Spain dies of pancreatic cancer

WSET anchor Mark Spain has died, just three weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 64.

“Hello sunshine! It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dear husband Mark. Our family along with the city of Lynchburg lost a man of hope, a person who loves his city and stood for equality and who treated others with respect and kindness,” his wife wrote. on social media. “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 filled with love, laughter and many wonderful memories. A trip that I would do again.”

Spain worked as an anchor and reporter for First Coast News from 2000 to 2007 and at Action News Jax from 2007 to 2014, until he was one of five anchors released. He joined ABC 13 in Lynchburg, Va. in 2015 and was the main anchor of the evening and late shows.

His smile and positivity were known by his family, our team here at WSET, and the thousands across Lynchburg and beyond who welcomed Mark into their homes every night on television. When he first addressed the community regarding his cancer diagnosis in early December, he reiterated the familiar sunny outlook despite the difficult situation.

WSET

Spain started his journalism career early, as a 9-year-old paper boy for the Cleveland Press, according to ABC 13. He majored in communications at Cleveland State University and worked several jobs in the journalism industry, including in Fort Wayne, Erie, Indianapolis and Cleveland.