On what would have been his 4th birthday, Magnus Alcade-Troebner’s parents spent the day choosing a coffin for their son.

They chose a white one so they could write happy memories on it, and paint and draw all their boy’s favourite things, including palm trees, aeroplanes and owls.

“We did our handprints too. Everyone who came to visit him could draw or write something on it,” his mother, Diana Troebner, told the Herald.

Magnus died on Sunday, February 22, two days before his 4th birthday, from a rare cancer.

Mario Alcade San Martin and Diana Troebner with their children, Magnus, 3, and daughter Aurora.

The family, based in Wellington, first shared their story at the end of 2024 after Magnus was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. He had chemotherapy and 12 hours of surgery to remove a tumour before undergoing radiation therapy.

Initially, there was good news that everything was clear. But new lesions were found in September last year. And despite travelling for radiation and other treatments, Magnus eventually moved into palliative care.

Troebner and Magnus’ father, Mario Alcade San Martin, say they are devastated at both the loss of their son and how painful it was to see him in so much pain towards the end of his life.

 
Magnus "enjoyed life and very much wanted to live it", his mother Diana Troebner told the Herald.

“It was terrible,” Troebner said.

“Magnus was talking about all his memories on the last night, and he passed away in the morning. It was quite impacting.”

They describe a boy who saw the bright side of life even on his hardest days.

“He had a very sweet spirit and was always looking out for other people,” his mother said.

Magnus' parents Mario Alcade San Martin and Diana Troebner paid tribute to a son they said was always happy and looking out for others.

“He was always wondering about where he was going, and I told him, ‘Look, you have a little energy and I have a little energy. It’s never going to be gone – just somewhere else.’

“And he said, ‘Oh, are we going to find each other?’ And I said, ‘Yes, of course. I will always look for you. We will find each other again.’ And he was comforted by that.”

‘Don’t worry, I’ll always protect you’

Magnus was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in 2024.

Magnus doted on his little sister, 10-month-old Aurora, who was the apple of his eye.

Three days before he died, there was a storm in Wellington and, when it woke Aurora, he stroked her hair and comforted her, Troebner said.

“At his weakest point, he was still protecting his little sister.”

His parents have thanked family and friends, members of the public and strangers who offered financial support and love over the past two years.

That included special thanks to Ronald McDonald House and Alcade San Martin’s employer, who allowed him time off to be with his young family.

Troebner said her son had enjoyed life and very much wanted to live it.

“We say you’re born with a book of life and have a set amount of pages ... My grandmother had 102, and Magnus had four pages.

“But he lived those pages to the corner, scribbling to the edges.”

A private ceremony has already been held, and the family is planning a memorial service to honour Magnus.