April 12, 2017
A Pennsauken Township man has died of cancer on Sunday, just months after marrying his high school sweetheart in their dream wedding.
Kevin Sochanchak, 27, died of stomach and esophageal cancer – a disease he'd been battling for years.
Sochanchak and his wife, Ashley Sochanchak, who is a cancer survivor, married two months ago and were together for 11 years.
The two were forced to continue delaying their wedding after Ashley was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2011. Kevin was later diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2014.
Their compelling story easily won them an all-expenses-paid wedding sponsored by Adelphia Restaurant & Lounge.
“The only thing I want to accomplish in my life now is to marry Ashley,” Kevin told Adelphia after winning the contest.
The two married on Feb. 11, the same day that the couple began dating and when Kevin proposed years later.
"It's bittersweet knowing your pain has ended and that you're in a much better place then where I am right now," Ashley Sochanchak said in an emotional Instagram post earlier this week. "All I know is that as long as hold onto my faith I will get to see you again and squeeze hug you! I loved you then, I love you now, I will love you always for eternity beyond this modern day life."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Ashley Sochanchak, as well as Kevin and Ashley's entire family," Adelphia said in a Facebook post. "May your precious memories of your time together keep you strong during this difficult time."
