NRL fans rally around Mario Fenech and family after heartbreaking loss of father

Mario Fenech is mourning the death of his father Albert as the NRL icon fights his own debilitating health battle. Fenech's brother Stephen, a well-known tech journalist, announced the heartbreaking news on social media on Monday.

Stephen revealed that his 85-year-old father had only recently been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. "The population of heaven increased by one when my father Albert passed away peacefully overnight just a few short months after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease," he wrote alongside a number of photos of Albert and his family.

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"While my family is struggling with the loss we will forever cherish our memories of him as someone we admired and adored and who had worked so hard to provide everything we could possibly need in our lives. Me and my brothers are the men we are today because of him and our families are so close and so strong because of the amazing foundation he built. God has him in his keeping but he will forever remain in our hearts."

The news sparked an outpouring of support amid a very difficult time for the Fenech family. In September last year, Mario revealed his battle with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a type of dementia caused by head injuries - which has greatly affected his memory.

Media commentator Trevor Long wrote on Stephen's post: "I will forever admire the bond you had, coffees on more days than we release podcasts, calls and catch ups and his input and guidance on so many things - many of which I’ve taken myself as second hand advice. An inspirational man who was undoubtedly proud of the boys he raised and the families they raised. Thinking of you, and all the Fenech’s my friend."

Comedian Tahir Bilgic wrote: "Sending love to you and your whole extended family mate." While Channel 9's Janie Seal commented: "So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all."

Mario Fenech feeling devastating effects of rugby league career

The news comes as another hit for the Fenech family amid Mario's devastating plight. The 61-year-old revealed last year that he'd been battling the effects of CTE since he was 53.

In an interview with Channel 7, the South Sydney legend said he'd forgotten his son's wedding and struggled daily. "When I was playing football, I got smashed around the head all the time and it had a real bad effect on me," he said. "You feel like you're going pop and it affects your brain. There are times I get really bad, just anxiety stuff."

Fenech's neurologist Dr Rowena Mobbs said the rugby league great's brain was akin to that of an 80-year-old, predicting that it wouldn't be long before he needs full-time care. "Gradually the neurons wither away in the brain. There's a loss of brain tissue," she said.

Fenech's son Joe revealed how his father gave a speech at his wedding, only to forget that he had done so just one day later. "My parents woke up in the morning, the day after the wedding, my dad turned to my mum and said, 'I'm really excited for the wedding, when is it?'," he said.

Fenech's wife Rebecca said: "Every day he wakes up now and says, 'I'm confused. I don't know why. I don't feel great. He can't really do or think for himself."

But Fenech said he had no regrets about playing rugby league in a time when concussion management was almost non-existent. "Rugby league in this generation is a lot more safer than when I played," he said.

"But in saying that, I wouldn't change a thing. I really enjoyed my 15-year challenge of playing rugby league and enjoyed my time at Souths and it was brutal in those days but that's the way it was."

Fenech played 274 first grade games from 1981 to 1995, including 181 for his beloved Rabbitohs. He also played two State of Origin games for NSW and forged a successful career in the media after his retirement.

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