Keith Duffy’s father Séan Duffy sadly passed away at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown on the 8th of January following a long illness.
Séan is survived by his wife, Pat and his three sons Keith, John and Derek.
A funeral was held for Séan at Glasnevin Cemetery, during the emotional service the Boyzone star shared some heartfelt words.
According to Goss.ie he said, “We’re all going to go someday and it’s never going to be nice, but for 18 years my dad fought cancer…And he went on to beat it which was quite amazing but unfortunately, it came back again and to keep the story short it came back and he beat it four times.
“Just before Christmas, he won the war so he didn’t have to fight anymore. Between Christmas and New Years he was sucker-punched, he didn’t fight he was sucker-punched, the gloves came off and he didn’t give up again this time.
“It wasn’t a battle like before – he was overpowered. It wasn’t fair, the weights were on. He had three different opponents to fight at the same time – pneumonia, fibrosis and Covid but he didn’t give up.
“Most people would probably lose that battle after 24 hours, my dad didn’t he wasn’t as tall as us I have always looked up to him and now I always will.
“He fought that fight for five days and I watched something happen. I watched the man I always considered a hero, I watched how he fought not just for himself but for us, to stay around for his grandchildren. He didn’t want to go anywhere.
“But like I said he was overpowered. He fought a good fight for five days every minute of every day. To watch him fight was devastating. It was horrible to see but my god the resilience. He put up some hell of a fight.
“So it was time now. The battles were won, he kicked cancer and he was in a scrap against three things he couldn’t fight and we just asked him as a family sitting around him to stop fighting. You’ve done enough, you’ve fought your fight you won. It might be time for rest dad. It might be time to rest.
“So it was difficult to see him suffering and he agreed with us in our own way we know he agreed with us.”
Goss.ie also reported that Keith paid tribute to his mother, who was there to help Séan through the hard times, “We were always there when we could be but the one person who was there every day was my mum. My mum was there every day and it wasn’t always pleasant.
“She was his backbone she was his rock and she went through it with him all the way.”
Keith’s former Boyzone band member’s also attended the funeral to show their support.
The star, shared the sad news to social media alongside an emotional tribute to his late father earlier this week; “Séan Duffy, 1945 – 2022.”
“Words cannot describe how heartbroken we are to announce the passing of our father/grandfather Séan. The most courageous and brave warrior we’ve ever known and probably will ever know.”
“We already miss him so much,” he added.
Many famous faces and friends were quick to share their condolences with the family, as Robbie Keane commented; “So sorry pal thinking of you and the family.”
Fellow Boyzone star, Ronan Keating said; “Sending all our love” as did his daughter Missy; “Sending love to all the family so sorry to hear.”
Glenda Gilson said; “And what a gentleman. RIP Sean. Thinking of you all and sending you lots of love” and Brian McFadden shared; “What a fighter! What a man!”
We are sending our deepest sympathies to Keith and his family at this sad time.