ABIGAIL Breslin’s father, Micahel Breslin, has passed away at 78 after a battle with Covid-19.
The Little Miss Sunshine star remembered him as a “heroic” and “wonderful” father.
The 24-year-old movie star broke the tragic news on her social media on Friday night.
Along with several photos of her father when he was just a young man and when he got to accompany her on red carpets, she wrote him a lengthy tribute.
“My daddy… Oh wow. Hard to write this. Harder than I thought. I’m in shock and devastation,” she began.
“At 6:32 PM EST , my sweet, perfect, amazing, heroic, wonderful dada passed away after my family and I said goodbye.
“It was COVID-19 that cut my sweet daddy’s life too short.
“I appreciate more than you know, the love and support my family and I have received.
“Mostly I want to remember my dad for who he was.
“My dad was a hilarious, boisterous, tenacious, rebellious, intelligent, sweet, incredible human being. He loved life. He loved his family. He loved the simple things…
“He loved a cup of coffee (black, heated up for 66 seconds). He LOVED a good Knish (but ONLY in the winter). He loved BBQ’ing (and while we loved brown mustard he only wanted French’s Yellow).
“He loved Breyer’s ice cream (strawberry, vanilla and chocolate NEO style). He loved doowop songs, specifically, “I Wonder Why” by Dion & The Belmonts and “Under The Boardwalk” by The Drifters.
“He loved dogs and cats and all animals and he especially loved hearing funny stories about my pets in particular. He’s always say, ‘abba dabba you’ve got that animal lover in you just like me.’
“He loved taking pictures and flying planes and good dinners and music from the 50’s and 60’s and good couches and Kenyan mountain coffee and funny YouTube videos and email threads and weird poems and politics and he loved me and he loved my brothers and he loved my mom.
“And we loved him. And we always will. I miss you daddy. I can’t wait to see you again. I won’t ever, ever, ever forget you.
“To the moon and back dada…Love, yours forever, Abs,” she concluded the emotional post.
Abigail’s brothers, Ryan and Spencer, also joined in her sentiments and shared their own tributes to their believed father.
Ryan, 36, shared on Instagram: “My father, Mike passed away this evening after battling Covid for the better part of the past three weeks and It’s extraordinarily unfair.
“He loved his family, dogs, flying, the Jets, doo wop, philosophy, tech, nyc, good coffee, arguing, science fiction, off color jokes, ice cream, roller coasters… he really, really loved his family
“He was raised by a single woman, born during world war 2 in Hell’s Kitchen, spent his formative years in Yonkers, served in the Air Force, married my mom in 1980, started his own telecom business, and taught his children the value of hard work, perseverance, street smarts and common sense
“My dad had plenty of hardships and obstacles in his life, but he always set an unparalleled example of will, determination, sticktoitiveness…he overcame adversity and was a champion of the people he loved
“I’m going to miss you so much, dad. I’m gonna miss calling you to argue about politics, I’m gonna miss you harassing me to read whatever motivational or dad joke email you sent me, I’m gonna miss watching our miserable Jets together, and I’m gonna miss all the things yet to come that I won’t be able to miss.”
Spencer, 28, also said on Instagram: “How do you say goodbye to your father? I’m not sure, but I love this photo.
“I love this man that helped bring me into this world and raised me and loved my mother and my two amazing siblings. Death is the one thing we all have in common, but never expect. Love you, Dad. Forever and ever.”
Abigail had first revealed her father had tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago.
She shared an update on her father’s health on Twitter and wrote: “Hi guys. Unfortunately, this post isn’t one I ever thought I would have to make. I’m asking for prayers and positivity sent this way for my daddy, Michael who tested positive for COVID-19 and this morning had to be placed on a ventilator.
“We are continuing to stay positive and know he’s under great care. I’m extremely thankful for the nurses and doctors who are working hard to make sure he fights this virus.
“I have faith that things will turn around at any moment, but in the meantime, please continue to wear your masks and follow COVID protocol,” Abigail added.
The Zombieland star’s father was a telecommunications expert, consultant and computer programmer, according to PEOPLE.
He is survived by his wife, Abigail, and her two brothers, Ryan and Spencer.
Abigail first rose to fame when she scored a role in 2002’s Signs.
