26/12/2025
30 years ago today we found out that the Kingpin of our family, my Grandad Tony had passed away during the night peacefully 💔
Last night I looked to the stars n could feel the Donnelly Force was strong in the sky above 💯🔥
30 years on, I remember that last Christmas Day together like it was yesterday, 2 brothers who hadn't spoken for years reconciled and our family was united again ❤️
Grandad Tony or affectionately known to us all as Jags (short for Jagad).
The Don cooking the Crimbo dinner, triby hat on, smooth dancing round the kitchen listening to Louie Armstrong and Nat King Cole whilst enjoying a whiskey or 6...
Little did we know that a few hours later we would all be devastated by the loss of this great man, a second father to me, my hero, my idol, the one person who was old but cool as f**k, wise beyond his life experiences, hard as f**kin nails but the most gentle heart n soul, the main man who I observed, respect and love to this day, his body may not be here but his very heart n soulbeat lives on through me
He was the greatest educator a young boy could have, no topic of conversation was off limits, his levels of brutal honest truth were legendary, razor sharp wit n keen eye for the little things that bring us joy in life
In the natural world he was a man at peace, nature healing his wounds from life and his wartime exploits, he showed me that nature heals the most tortured souls, without words, just being in the moment n giving thanks for feeling and facing the elements in all their technicolour splendor
An entertainer, hugely intelligent and intellectual, darkside humour which is born from experiencing the madness of the world, a gentleman who encouraged a young boy with so much lacking in self doubt, self confidence, self esteem and self belief to grow into a man's man whilst still retaining old fashioned beliefs and respect for other human beings. He showed me that to love other humans as they are but also not to take s**t from people too.
He remains a kingpin in my life, the man who showed me that you can be hard as nails yet still have a beautiful soul and that kindness is never mistaken for weakness
Thank you and Love you mate ❤️❤️
