Almost four months after losing her husband, Bert Newton, Patti Newton has shared a bittersweet message to another man she loved and lost.
Sunday marked the 48th anniversary of her father Matt McGrath’s death and Patti honoured him with an emotional tribute.
A sepia-toned photo from the family albums shows Patti as a young woman standing with her father’s arm around her, his other hand holding hers tenderly, as they smile at the camera.
Patti Newton shared this photo with her late father Matt McGrath.
(Image: Instagram)“48 years ago today my darling dad passed at 53 ,” Patti captioned the photo, believed to be from the 1970s, when she shared it on Instagram.
“Think of you every day and hope you’re up there looking after my Bert xxx”
Patti was 29-years-old when her father died and his passing occurred in the same year she and Bert married in 1974. It’s likely that Bert would have gotten to know Matt while courting Patti before they wed.
The couple even paid tribute to Patti’s beloved father when they welcomed their first child in 1977, naming him Matthew for the grandfather he would sadly never meet.
Patti previously revealed that she lost her father suddenly and unexpectedly, writing in a tribute three years ago that she wished she had more time with him.
“We lost my beautiful dad unexpectedly, we didn’t have time to say goodbye,” the 77-year-old recalled.
“I miss him every day, always in my heart.”
In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Patti would be forced to relive that pain when her husband of almost 50 years died in October 2021.
WATCH: Matthew Newton’s letter for father Bert’s Funeral. Story continues after video.
Bert Newton passed away in hospital after months of ill health and a leg amputation surgery, the news of his death sending shockwaves around the nation.
The following morning, Patti faced the press and revealed that once again, she didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.
“I left at ten past seven, and I was just pulling around to come into my drive and I get the call to say he’d taken his last breath at 7.22pm,” she told reporters.
“So I missed him, but maybe he didn’t want me to be there for his last breath.”
Bert and Patti with their children, Matthew and Lauren, when they were small.
(Image: Instagram)Despite his lengthy health battle, Patti said he “had such a fabulous attitude” and gave the family “so much joy” right up to the end of his life.
“We have to just make sure that the love he gave us stays with us forever.”
The tears were flowing at Bert’s state funeral two weeks later, where Patti appeared surrounded by family – including daughter Lauren and several of her grandchildren.
Despite her heartache, Patti has continued to share her memories of Bert – and her father – on Instagram for all those who knew and loved them.
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