Ben Fordham has penned a touching tribute to his father, John Fordham, after news broke that he had passed away aged 75.
In an emotional post on his official Instagram on Monday, Ben shared a heartbreaking statement about the “bloke” he called dad.
Captioning a gorgeous picture of the pair together, Ben wrote: “My dad has passed away. It was the most peaceful goodbye. We were all there with him and feel blessed. What a bloke.”
“When we were growing up, he spent every spare minute playing on the street with all of the neighbourhood kids. He built a business with my mum that set the standard for public relations and personality management.”
Ben then went on to say that “as a mate” his father “was the best”.
“If any of his family or friends or clients were in trouble, he’d go to war.. “If you grab the tail, you get the whole tiger” – that was Jack.”
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Ben paid homage to his father, John Fordham.
(Source: Instagram/benfordham9)“We’re going to miss him but thankfully we took every chance to tell him how much we love him. That’s the trick. No regrets. Today, dad is being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his commitment to charity. RIP John Fordham (AM).”
According to the Daily Telegraph, John, who died after a long battle with throat cancer, spent his last hours “swapping race tips with Alan Jones” while having a “punt” and “a beer”.
Before his death, the celebrated Talent manager, hosted sporting legends including Andrew Johns, Ricky Stuart, Mark Taylor and radio stars at his bedside at the Sacred Heart Hospice in Darlinghurst, and died surrounded by his children Ben, Nick and Sarah and wife Veronica.
John was to be awarded an Order of Australia (AM) medal in a private ceremony by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and police commissioner Mick Fuller, a “surprise” for the media personality who would not make the January 26 ceremony.
“Just before he passed I told him the function would still go ahead and he died a very proud man,” Ben told the Daily Telegraph.
He then went on to say that right up until his death, his father “dictated a really heavy message” involving “one of his clients in a contract negotiation”.
“It was very robust, very stern to an employer and he was determined to get it resolved,” Ben said.
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John was also a “wonderful donor to charity and established the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation” and right up until his death, continued to fund raise.
“Just before I was to go on air for my final show, Dad sent me an email,” Ben told the news outlet.
“He wanted a plug for a bottle of wine he had created to raise money for the head and neck cancer foundation that he’d set up.
“Even on his bloody death bed he’s fundraising. It was Dad all the way, being the master of marketing and always looking for an opportunity right to the very end.”
Vale John Fordham.
