I personally think that you did the right thing. You were sparing him from immense pain, what is wrong with that? It’s called compassion. I did a similar thing, when my beautiful aunt was very ill with dementia. She had asked about her sister, my Mother. I couldn’t tell her that Mom had died, so I told her that Mom was fine. It made her feel good and that’s what I wanted. I couldn’t see any benefit to my aunt, by telling her the truth. It is said that we should treat others, the way we want to be treated. I believe in that whole-heartedly.