Dan Donegan, guitarist of DISTURBED, is mourning the loss of his father, who passed away recently at the age of 85. Today, he shared heartfelt memories and photos on social media, expressing his deep sorrow: “This morning I lost my hero! My dad had just turned 85 last week, but he spent it fighting for his life due to kidney failure. Those who knew him would recognize him as a fighter—the toughest man I knew. He was proud, stubborn, and flawed, but always my hero. He adored his grandkids, loved this country, and was a proud veteran.”
Dan recounted how he had performed at a festival in Kentucky just days before his father’s passing. “Two hours before I took the stage, they moved him to hospice. I’m grateful for my family, friends, and bandmates who supported me that night. I rushed home afterward to be by his side.”
In an emotional Instagram Live session, Dan elaborated on his father’s final days. “He lived a long life, but the end was difficult. He was mentally sharp but physically deteriorating. Before the show, I offered to cancel, but he insisted I perform, proud of what the band and I had achieved. I felt he held on until I returned home, waiting to hear our voices one last time.”
Dan shared that his father’s health had declined rapidly over the past two weeks. “We had to put him on dialysis, but after a few sessions, he decided he didn’t want to continue. At 85, he had experienced so much—heart issues, liver problems, and diminishing quality of life. Making decisions on his behalf was incredibly challenging.”
He found solace in the moments they shared before his father’s passing. “It was heartbreaking to think I wasn’t there when he was moved to hospice, but I felt he waited for us. After hearing our voices, he peacefully slipped away in his sleep, which brings me comfort.”
In a poignant conclusion, Dan reflected, “I’m grateful he went peacefully, without pain. Knowing that provides some peace amidst this heartache.”
