How did Fergie's father Pat die? Singer says he was 'best dad a girl could ask for'
Eight-time Grammy winner Fergie lost her father on August 27, the singer confirmed. Taking to Instagram, Fergie posted a long heartfelt letter and numerous images of John 'Pat' Patrick Ferguson just a month after his passing, on September 30. Perhaps in a sad mark of fate, Fergie's last Instagram post was a father's day wish for Pat. The tribute instantly went viral and led to responses from other celebrities like Keith Harris, Nicolas Bru, and Stefanie Fair.
News of Pat's passing comes at the end of a difficult September for the music and film industry. Hugh Jackman's dad Christopher John Jackman died on Sept 5, the actor confirmed. 'Nomadland' actress Melissa Yandell Smith lost her battle with cancer on Sept 7. We also reported on the death of Nashville A-Team bassist Bob Moore on Sept 23.
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The Black Eyed Peas singer appeared to have shared a positive relationship with her father. Before his death, Pat made numerous appearances on Fergie's Instagram, mostly on the occasion of father's day. But even beyond that, the California-based winemaker was a frequent presence on Fergie's Instagram profile.
How did Fergie's father die?
Details are scarce at the moment, so we can't confirm what exactly happened to Pat. Fergie did not go into any details, but rather used her Instagram post to pay tribute to her "coach who fired me up to be ambitious and competitive." The post said, "This hit harder and deeper than anything I've ever felt. You were the best dad a girl could ever ask for." She called her father "a pillar of positivity" and noted he was "the epitome of living in the present."
"I can't bite into a juicy nectarine or taste a mint leaf without thinking about the ones you grew in the back yard," the singer mourned. She then added, "I feel of you every time I watch an NFL game, have a beer at Mavericks, and hear a Rolling Stones song. I see you waving at me every time the wind hits the trees." Fergie then closed the tribute with a verse from Led Zeppelin's 1971 classic 'Stairway to Heaven', writing, "And if you listen very hard, The tune will come to you at last, When all are one and one is all, To be a rock and not to roll."
Along with the caption, Fergie also uploaded several never-before-seen pictures of her father, including some from his youth. She also had a photo of her dad with her son Axl Jack, who has also regularly featured on Fergie's Instagram. Most photos appear to be taken at their Santa Barbara vineyard, which the father and daughter purchased in 2006. Before paying tribute to her dad, Fergie last posted on June 21, wishing her dad for father's day.
Pat also made a handful of appearances on the duo's wine brand's - Ferguson Crest - Instagram account. Notably, for his birthday on July 23, the brand offered shipping costs of just $10 on all orders of $75 or more. Pat has also been the subject of numerous other promotional offers.