Alf died on 23 February 1995 of prostate cancer at his house, "Mirebeck", in the village of Thirlby near the town of Thirsk that became famous in his books as "Darrowby".

The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was a huge success, spawning numerous sequels, movies and a successful television adaptation. Wight was found to have prostate cancer in 1991, and underwent treatment in the Lambert Memorial Hospital in Thirsk. He died on 23 February 1995, aged 78, at home in Thirlby.

Alf Wight had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1991 and was treated in the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton. : 345, 352 On 23 February 1995, he died at his home in Thirlby as a result of the cancer. leaving an estate valued for probate at £5,425,873 (equivalent to £13,174,807 in 2023). His remains were cremated and scattered on Sutton Bank.