PHOENIX – A terminally ill Arizona man whose son’s removal from a plane over allergies made headlines when passengers were accused of applauding the ejection has died.

Christina Fabian of suburban Phoenix said her husband, George Alvarado, died Thursday at a hospice facility after battling esophageal cancer.

He, Fabian and their 7-year-old son visited Washington state last month as a bucket-list wish for Alvarado.

The family was on an Allegiant Air flight in Bellingham bound for the Phoenix area when the boy had an allergic reaction to dogs on board.

Fabian says her son became upset when several people cheered as they left.

Some passengers on the flight say there was clapping, but it wasn’t meant to be malicious.

Fabian shared her account on social media, drawing sympathy from people around the country.