Sheffield cricket star Michael Vaughan's moving tribute after sad death of beloved dad Graham at city hospice
Sheffield cricket legend Michael Vaughan has paid a moving tribute following the death of his dad, after making a dash back to Sheffield from Australia to be by his side.
The former England captain’s dad, Graham, was a well known name among Sheffield’s cricketing community, and spent his last days at St Luke’s Hospice in the city.
Michael, who had been working with the media on the Ashes tour in Australia made a special journey back to Sheffield to be with his dad.
In a moving message, he said he had a heavy heart and tears rolling down his cheeks as he typed.
He said: “We said goodbye to my hero, my mentor, my best pal & most importantly the greatest DAD anyone could ever want ..
“He left us peacefully & in no pain in my bothers arms to a standing ovation. .. I am just so blessed to have made it home to spend the most special 30 hrs lying next to him talking / crying & as always with Dad laughing ..
“He really has had an incredible zest for life and making sure he lives his, but more importantly encouraged all around him to do the same .. that’s exactly what we are all going to do in his honour..
He thanked relatives as well as the team at Weston Park cancer centre in Sheffield, who he said had been incredible to his father, as well as the people at St Luke's Hospice in the city.
He told them: “You are where he wanted to announce his innings was over but I can’t thank you all enough for sorting it at such short notice.
He added: “RIP DAD. We all love you so much and you are going to be hugely missed but your legacy will last forever xxx Love ya Dad”
Sheffield Cricket Lovers Society, to which Graham was a regular vistor also paid tribute. The group said in a statement: “Graham and Dee have been members for many years and were always regulars at our suppers and dinners. He will be missed for sure. Our thoughts are with Dee, Michael, David and the rest of the family.”