Rob Laakso died at the age of 44 on May 4, 2023, from the debilitating effects of his Cholangiocarcinoma. For the uninitiated, Cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive, rare, and incurable form of cancer that affects the bile ducts of the human body. Laakso was diagnosed with it sometime in 2021.The singer is survived by his wife, Mamie-Claire Cornelius and their two children.Laakso's death was announced via an Instagram post by his wife, which is no longer available. In the post, she wrote: "You are the light of my life and the only slightest sliver of peace I have is that you are no longer in pain. We’ll be dreaming of you every night until we see you again." View this post on Instagram Instagram Post"Try something new for him": Tributes to Rob Laakso floods social media as his wife updates GoFundMe pageThe announcement of the virtuoso multi-instrumentalist's demise was met with sorrow and shock, alongside an outpouring of support for his family in their trying times. The condolences and tributes came from both fans of the musician, as well as from professional music spaces and close family.Previously, a GoFundMe page was established by Mamie-Claire Cornelius to help the family with their expenses as they transitioned to being full-time caregivers of the late musician during his illness. Following the artist's demise, in the description of the page, Laakso's wife wrote:"After praying for a miracle every day since he was diagnosed my prayers recently changed to a peaceful home departure surrounded by love. I realize now every day we had together was a miracle."She continued:"Lately he pushed through the most insidious pain in efforts to be as present with his children as possible. Through it all he stayed stoic so I wouldn’t panic even more, so the kids could keep on living in their sweet and joyful innocence and so his friends and family wouldn't worry."She later asked her husband's fans and well-wishers to mourn but live their lives, as she believed he would have wanted:"I'm also trying to remember for myself and as an example to carry out to our children how much Rob loved life, he was always busy with a new project to better himself, writing a new song, ready for an adventure, eager to try a new restaurant, go for a hike, take a sauna - so please go live life and try something new for him when you feel an ache creeping in."Several people shared the link to the GoFundMe page as they posted condolence messages for the artist's family. klaus@klaushubbenThe world just lost not only an extraordinary musician but a great dad. gofund.me/76023eec51The world just lost not only an extraordinary musician but a great dad. gofund.me/76023eecMatador Records@matadorrecordsDeepest condolences to the family, friends and collaborators of Rob Laakso354Deepest condolences to the family, friends and collaborators of Rob LaaksoDrew O'DOHERTY@drewodohertyI first met Rob Laakso back when he was a teenage guitar wizard. I always liked him so much. My heart goes out to all the people who knew and loved him. If you’re able to help support his family, please do.gofundme.com/f/supporting-r…41I first met Rob Laakso back when he was a teenage guitar wizard. I always liked him so much. My heart goes out to all the people who knew and loved him. If you’re able to help support his family, please do.gofundme.com/f/supporting-r…Ecstatic Manoeuvres in the Dark@comeawaywithEMDRob Laakso emailed me last year to talk about gender egalitarianism in the audio engineering dept. of '90s Boston. I told him I needed to prioritize the NE Ohio scene work while people were still here, but would "brb." We never know how much time we will have. RIP Rob. 161Rob Laakso emailed me last year to talk about gender egalitarianism in the audio engineering dept. of '90s Boston. I told him I needed to prioritize the NE Ohio scene work while people were still here, but would "brb." We never know how much time we will have. RIP Rob. 💔rancho de la luna@ranchodelalunadevastated i have to write this, my friend rob laakso has passed away. you may have seen his genius performing with @therealkurtvile he was the sweetest,most talented human. please donate,anything helps his wonderful family.Supporting Rob Laakso and Family gofund.me/3642ba15295devastated i have to write this, my friend rob laakso has passed away. you may have seen his genius performing with @therealkurtvile he was the sweetest,most talented human. please donate,anything helps his wonderful family.Supporting Rob Laakso and Family gofund.me/3642ba15technically 90% cheers@totaledamn, RIP Rob Laakso21damn, RIP Rob LaaksoDavid Chan@udtseals1411Rob Laakso, Kurt Vile and the Violators Multi-Instrumentalist, Dead at 44. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Laakso family. Please keep him and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.Rob Laakso, Kurt Vile and the Violators Multi-Instrumentalist, Dead at 44. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Laakso family. Please keep him and his family in your prayers during this difficult time. https://t.co/7NyOXhm182Tracing Rob Laakso's careerRob Laakso was born in 1979 in Massachusetts, and began his career in high school, when he co-founded the band The Wicked Farleys. The band was a melodic math-rock band that released three studio albums, including their debut album, Sentinel and Enterprise, which was recorded in the noted alternative rock studio in Boston, Fort Apache.After graduating from high school and releasing two more albums with The Wicked Farleys, the musician joined Boston lo-fi shoegaze band The Swirlies, with whom he worked from 1998 to 2005, releasing three studio albums. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostRob Laakso also worked with the Diamonds and the Mice Parade from 2005, during which he also started working at a recording studio full-time. In 2009, he first started working with his eventual longtime collaborator Kurt Vile.It was with Kurt Vile & The Violaters that Rob Laakso managed his first chart success, with their fifth studio album, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, peaking at number 47 on the Billboard 200 album chart.Rob Laakso and Kurt Vile gained critical acclaim with their sixth studio album, b'lieve I'm goin down..., which was released on September 25, 2015. The album peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200 album chart.