Family tragedy strikes footy legend Mario Fenech as he fights his own health battle
- Shocking news for former Souths, North Sydney star
- Fenech has lost one of his closest relatives
- Ex-Rabbitoh is struggling with early dementia
NRL great Mario Fenech and his family are mourning the loss of his father Albert, who died on Sunday after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The sad news was announced on Instagram by Fenech's brother Stephen on Monday.
“Heaven's population increased by one when my father Albert passed away peacefully overnight, just a few months after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease,” the noted Sydney journalist wrote.
“As my family struggles with the loss, we will forever cherish our memories of him as someone we admired and adored and who had worked so hard to provide everything we could possibly need in our lives.
Mario Fenech (pictured center, back row, with brothers Stephen, left and Michael, right) mourns his father Albert (bottom right) after his death on Sunday
Albert Fenech 'passed away peacefully' shortly after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, his journalist son Stephen revealed on Instagram
“Me and my brothers are the men we are today because of him and our families are so close and so strong because of the great foundation he laid.”
The post was accompanied by photos of Albert with his sons Mario, Stephen and Michael, along with their mother.
Motor neuron disease is caused when nerves in the brain and spinal cord – which are essential for the ability to walk, speak and breathe – stop working properly.
As the condition progresses, patients find that all of these actions become more difficult or impossible.
South Sydney great Mario is currently fighting his own health battles after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia eight years ago.
Fenech, 62, has suffered numerous concussions during his 14-year career in first-class rugby league and has been told he is suffering from the effects of the fatal brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been linked to head impacts suffered by players in various countries have incurred. football codes.
Fenech (pictured with his wife Rebecca) suffered many concussions during his long football career and is now suffering from early dementia
The South Sydney great (pictured playing for the Rabbitohs in the 1980s) has been diagnosed with the effects of fatal brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Last September, his wife Rebecca said some of his colleagues from his time on hit TV show The Footy Show had let him down since he was diagnosed with the devastating disease.
She said only three former Footy Show stars – Paul 'Fatty Vautin, Peter Sterling and Steve 'Blocker' Roach – still have any contact with Mario, despite him showing early stages of his illness while still on the show.
Fenech was recently spotted on a day out in Sydney.
Uniting Aged Care Services in Balmoral had organized the outing and Fenech was seen wearing his signature South Sydney cap and a big smile as he chatted with friends and volunteers.
It comes after the South Sydney legend was spotted at Rabbitoh's training in September after the club invited him to mingle with current players.