Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren posts a Father’s Day tribute with unseen photos of the late MasterChef judge with his children
Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Laurern Fried has shared a heartbreaking message commemorating her first Father’s Day since her husband’s tragic death.
The MasterChef judge was found dead on May 1 at the age of 46 and is survived by four children: six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, whom he shares with Lauren, and teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages.
Lauren posted on Jock’s Instagram page on Sunday a gallery of never-before-seen photos of the chef spending quality time with his kids.
She accompanied this with a bittersweet essay detailing her late husband’s incredible bond with his brood, but chose to name only Ava, Alfie, and Isla.
“When I met Jock he had two daughters, we made two beautiful babies together. There were 20 years between his first and last child, and he was a different person and parent to each of them,” began Lauren, who married Jock in 2017.
Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Laurern Fried has shared a heartbreaking message commemorating her first Father’s Day since her husband’s tragic death. (Jock is pictured with Lauren and their two children Isla, two, and Alfie, six)
“What was the same was that he loved them more than any words or deeds,” she added.
The advertising and media specialist went on to praise Jock for his playful approach to fatherhood.
“Jock never really grew up: he taught the kids ways to do things that would drive me crazy,” she wrote.
On Jock’s Instagram page, Lauren shared a gallery of never-before-seen photos of the chef spending quality time with his kids on Sunday (pictured)
“From dipping their roast chicken directly into the gravy boat because it was the safest way to cover the entire surface, to how to put an entire donut in their mouth at once, to making me laugh for a while,” mused Lauren.
“There are roles I can take on, but this one — the brutality that was his superpower as a parent — is unique to him,” she added.
Tragically, Lauren also revealed that Jock’s dream was to become a nonno (grandfather in Italian), adding, “I wish he had that chance.”
She accompanied this with a bittersweet essay detailing her late husband’s incredible bond with his brood, but curiously chose to name only Ava, Alfie, and Isla.
Lauren concluded with a message addressed to Jock’s children.
“Ava, Alfie and Isla – I am so grateful that he left a little piece of himself in each of you. You are brave and strong and the only reason life will be great again for all of us,” she concluded.
It’s unclear why Lauren chose not to mention Sophia’s name.
Tragically, Lauren also revealed that Jock’s dream was to become a nonno (grandfather in Italian), adding, “I wish he had that chance.” (Pictured is Jock with daughter Ava)
Jock died on May 1 at the age of 46. He was buried in May in a private funeral in Sydney surrounded by 200 family and friends.
The media personality was scheduled for several publicity assignments for season 15 of MasterChef when he passed away suddenly.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that when police entered the hotel room to conduct a welfare check, officers believed Zonfrillo had died of natural causes and found nothing to suggest otherwise.
No drug paraphernalia were also found in the hotel room, sources said.
In the wake of the tragic news, Zonfrillo’s fellow Masterchef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen pulled out of all media appearances to promote the cooking show’s return.
Jock died on May 1 at the age of 46. He was buried in May in a private funeral in Sydney surrounded by 200 family and friends.
In the wake of the tragic news, Zonfrillo’s fellow Masterchef judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen pulled out of all media appearances to promote the cooking show’s return. (Photo: Jock with fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen)