Gabrielle Union’s Dad, Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr., Dead at 81

Gabrielle Union is in mourning following a heartbreaking loss.

The Being Mary Jane alum shared that her dad Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr. passed away April 3 after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was 81.

In a post on Instagram, Gabrielle, 53, described the disease as a “painfully slow disappearing” while noting that her dad’s condition was “what he experienced, but it wasn’t who he was.”

“It’s bewildering to feel relief that the pain has ended, but profound heartbreak at the finality of his time,” she wrote in the April 4 post. “I know I’m not the first or last Daddy’s girl to go through this, and I’m sending love and healing to anyone suffering the loss of a parent. I know his love is eternal and will find me in every realm.”

Alongside a montage of memorable moments with Sylvester, Gabrielle heralded the late patriarch as “the life of EVERY party” who was “surrounded by love” everywhere he went—and gave it freely in return.