Much-loved Mojtaba Almassi, a plumber from Cardiff, was “always so positive” and described as “the sweetest boy ever”
Hundreds attended the funeral of Mojtaba Almassi, 25(Image: Family of Mojtaba Almassi)
A heartfelt tribute has been paid to a beloved son and brother who tragically passed away after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Mojtaba Almassi, known as “Mush”, died on September 19 after a being treated for metastatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma for a year and a half. He was just 25.
Hundreds attended the funeral of popular Mr Almassi, from Llanedeyrn, who had a passion for MMA, having competed in amateur fights, along with cars and motorbikes. His family said he visited the optiticans in March 2024 after experiencing swelling to his left eye.
They gave him some eye drops, but it did not help. A few days later while at work, Mr Almassi, an emergency plumber, who had previously worked as a carpenter, coughed up blood.
A colleague, who had previously gone through cancer, recognised the signs, and advised for him to visit his GP surgery. A biopsy was carried out, which led to his diagnosis.
Mr Almassi underwent nine rounds of chemotherapy, and was told that his cancer was all clear.
But in April, Mr Almassi underwent a scan, which found cancer was present on his lungs.
The former St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School pupil underwent more chemotherapy, but it was unsuccessful. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here.
Metastatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma. Rhabdomyosarcoma grows in the muscles of the body we control ourselves.
In August, Mr Almassi and his family went on a trip to France and Switzerland to see family, which his brother Mortaza believes he thought would be his last ever trip, though he did not share that with anyone.
When he returned, Mr Almassi had trapped fluid in his lung, and his condition deteriorated at home, leading to further treatment.
Mr Almassi loved the sport of MMA(Image: Family of Mojtaba Almassi)
Speaking of his family’s experience over the last 18 months, younger brother Mortaza said: “It took my mother several weeks to come to terms with the fact he had cancer.
“We all tried to stay strong and support him every single step of the way, but we’d cry, and we’d be sad, without him knowing or seeing. We didn’t want him being stressed.
“We were all hoping that he would be cured and that he would beat it, especially after the first cycle when he was able to start going to the gym and getting a lot better.
“We thought ‘Thank God, he’s getting better’, but when it came back, we got really scared. We still had hopes that it would be cured, but it just got worse and worse.
“He was always so positive, and was never ever negative. He never asked ‘why me?’ He said that it was all up to God, and felt that it was a test and that he would get through it.”
Mortaza said around 400 people came pay respects at the funeral of his brother, who he described as his role model.
Mr Almassi worked as an emergency plumber(Image: Family of Mojtaba Almassi)
He said: “So many people came to his funeral, which really showed us what kind of a person he was. He was loved by everyone.
“In the space of 25 years that he was breathing and living, it was the best 25 years my mother has ever had. It’s very hard for her and my father, but they just remember how much of a loved person he was by everyone.
“Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him. That comforts them and gives them peace.
“He was like a role model for me growing up. The age difference between us was only two years, I’m 23, he was 25, and growing up, we were like Batman and Robin!
“A brother is like your best friend in life too, especially when there’s such a small age gap. Anything he wanted to do I wanted to do the same, the way he dressed, the way he walked, the way he spoke, he was so cool.
“I looked up to him, even during his last breaths when we were together I was holding his hand and I told him, ‘If I grow up and am half the man that you are, and as strong as you are, I’ll be happy’.”
Mr Almassi pictured in France, one of his last trips(Image: Family of Mojtaba Almassi)
Mr Almassi had a passion for mixed martial arts (MMA), and would train as a hobby, and had competed in some amateur contests.
Mortaza added: “My brother was always quite slim, but honestly, me and my brother would spar, and he would knock me down every time! Considering I had 20kg advantage on him, he was very strong physically.
“He loved motorbikes – anything with two wheels on it, he would wheelie it! He loved cars too. Even on his death bed, he was on his phone looking for cars. All he’d ever look at was cars and motorbikes.
“He liked spending time at home with his family and would always want to be with them.
“He was the sweetest boy ever, and he had a heart of gold. Everyone that has ever spoken to me has never had a bad word to say about him.”
Mr Almassi’s family have launched a GoFundMe page in his memory to raise money to build charity wells that will provide clean water to those in need for generations to come.
It has so far raised just over £1,000, from a target of £10,000. If you would like to donate, you can do so by clicking here.
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