Family, friends and political figures have gathered for the funeral for Tony Abbott’s late father.
Richard Henry Abbott died on November 22 after suffering ‘a very serious stroke’. The 93-year-old was surrounded by his family in hospital when he passed.
The former prime minister, his wife Margaret and their three daughters Frances, Louise and Bridget were all in attendance at the Corpus Christi Church on Sydney’s north shore on Saturday morning.
Abbott led the procession as the service ended, helping carry his father’s casket from the church.
Family, friends and political figures have gathered for the funeral for Tony Abbott’s late father
Abbott led the procession as the service ended, helping carry his father’s casket from the church
The former prime minister, his wife Margaret and their three daughters Frances, Louise and Bridget were all in attendance at the Corpus Christi Church on Sydney’s north shore on Saturday morning
Richard Henry Abbott (pictured) died on November 22 after suffering ‘a very serious stroke’. The 93-year-old was surrounded by his family in hospital when he passed
An emotional Frances was seen being consoled by her mother and fiancé Sam Loch, who made his first public appearance alongside his new in-laws. The two got engaged last month after dating for just two weeks.
The modest service at the small church in St Ives was attended by a close group of family and friends.
The Abbotts requested donations be made in Richard’s name to StreetWork and the Royal Far West.
The 93-year-old, who was also known as Dickie, had been in Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga since Monday, when he suffered the stroke.
Richard ran an orthodontist practice in Chatswood on Sydney’s North Shore and worked well into his 80s.
The modest service at the small church in St Ives was attended by a close group of family and friends
An emotional Frances was seen being consoled by her mother and fiancé Sam Loch, who made his first public appearance alongside his new in-laws
The Abbott family smile after Tony was sworn in as prime minister in 2013
The former prime minister confirmed the news of his father’s passing on Twitter by posting a touching tribute to his late father.
‘The Abbott family has lost a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. God bless you, Dad,’ he wrote.
Abbott also spoke to the Daily Telegraph, saying he was in ‘debt’ to his father for the life lessons he had taught him.
‘All of us have an extraordinary debt to our parents, absolutely extraordinary debt and in my case my parents have been a wonderful influence on my life; from Mum I’ve learned to do my best, to be welcoming; from Dad I’ve learned to always try to see the good in people,’ he said.
‘I’ve been incredibly blessed with two wonderful parents, I know Dad’s very proud of all of his kids.’
Frances Abbott and her Olympic weightlifting partner Sam Loch got engaged last month after dating for just two weeks
Frances first announced the whirlwind romance and subsequent engagement to the weightlifter Loch via Instagram with a series of couple snaps taken in a photobooth
Frances first announced the whirlwind romance and subsequent engagement to the weightlifter Loch via Instagram with a series of couple snaps taken in a photobooth.
‘Two weeks was all it took to know that forever with you was a mighty fine idea,’ the fitness devotee wrote.
Mr Loch confirmed the news with a selfie of the pair captioned ‘With the soon to be Mrs Loch’.
The 60-year-old former Prime Minister of Australia also confirmed news of his daughter’s engagement on social media.
Using two tweets to post his message, the Liberal MP said: ‘Really thrilled at the news of Francie and Sam’s engagement.
‘We are very proud of her and the Abbotts are looking forward to welcoming Sam into the family.’
‘Mum was like, “Frances, you are quite impulsive”,’ Frances remembered, saying her family want the best for her despite the speed of her engagement
Mr Abbott’s enthusiasm may have been fuelled by his first impressions of the Olympic rower, formed when the two met in Melbourne.
At the time the young couple were in the midst of a whirlwind romance and very much in love, but Mr Loch had yet to pop the question.
‘I think meeting Tones can be quite intimidating for anyone, but that’s what I love about Sam,’ the 26-year-old confided.
‘He’s so grounded, and so settled in his own skin, it felt totally natural. There was no change in voice, no sitting upright. Dad liked him.’
As for her mother Margie, she was as surprised as anyone when her middle daughter told her of Mr Loch’s proposal.
‘Mum was like, “Frances, you are quite impulsive”,’ Frances remembered, saying her family want the best for her despite the speed of her engagement.