Gabrielle Union’s father died at age 81 after a battle with dementia, the actress shared in a tribute to Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr. In a lengthy social media post Saturday, Union paid tribute to her father while describing the pain of gradually losing a loved one to the disease.
“It’s mind-boggling to feel relief that the pain has ended, but deep sorrow at the finality of his time,” she said. wrote on Instagram.
“First he repeats words or forgets little things here and there, then BOOM, he can’t swallow or walk. The ones you know are getting smaller and smaller,” Union wrote. “You hope for sustained eye contact or a smile; even a squeeze of the hand can make you feel like they could come back to you ‘normal’ at any moment.”
The “Bring It On” and “Bad Boys II” star said the illness was “brutal and that’s what he experienced, but it wasn’t who he was.”
Union has been publicly outspoken about her father’s years-long journey with dementia. He was placed in memory care in 2023, as she noted in a birthday tribute published that year.
“This process has been extremely hard on our family, with some really painful chapters,” she said. written in November 2023. “That’s why it brought tears to everyone’s eyes, to see my party-loving dad, Crown drinking, my smart ass back in tip-top shape for a few hours, it was the best gift we all could have received.”
And for its 80th birthday, Union shared a post detailing some of the things his father still remembered, including the family and friends who came to celebrate him.
In Saturday’s final message announcing his death, Union noted the love he shared with his community. He “made it a point to look after everyone,” Union wrote, and was “ALWAYS the life of EVERY party.” Besides spending time with family and friends, she noted, he loved music and traveling.
“My father was a perfectly imperfect man and father,” Union added. “Over time, he evolved, recognized his imperfections, apologized and made amends for however long it took for the wounds to heal.”
She wrote that he “taught me the values of teamwork, a fierce work ethic, and that your weakest link is only as strong, so take care of that first.”
In her message, Union thanked the medical and memory care staff who cared for her father in his final years, as well as her sisters who “stepped up” to help.
“I know I’m not the first nor the last daddy’s girl to go through this, and I’m sending love and healing to anyone suffering from the loss of a parent,” Union wrote. “I know that his love is everlasting and will find me in all things.”