Gabrielle Union is mourning the loss of her dad, Sylvester “Cully” Union Jr. He passed away at 81 after a long, tough fight with dementia. The American model and actress opened up about it in an emotional tribute, and her words hit home for a lot of people: not just fans, but anyone who’s ever watched someone they love slowly slip away.

Gabrielle Union shares heartbreaking news: What happened?

As per his daughter’s account, Sylvester passed away on April 3. Gabrielle shared the news on Instagram, posting old photos and memories and describing what it’s really like to lose someone to dementia. Her dad went into memory care in 2023, and although they all knew what was coming, nothing really prepared her for it. “First it’s repeating words or forgetting little things here or there,” she wrote. “Then BOOM, he can’t swallow or walk.” It’s brutal.Gabrielle talked about the weird mix of relief and heartbreak, feeling glad his pain is over, but crushed by the finality. She said she knows she’s not alone. “I’m not the first or last Daddy’s girl to go through this,” she wrote, sending love to anyone dealing with the loss of a parent. She believes her dad’s love is still out there, reaching her, even now.She tried to hold on to every small sign he was still there: a look, a smile, a squeeze of the hand. She shared that even when he faded, she never let go of who he was. “It’s what he experienced, but it wasn’t who he was.” And who was he? The life of every party. The guy who never met a stranger, just friends he hadn’t gotten to know yet. He loved music, traveling, Nebraska football, and making sure everyone around him felt seen and included.Gabrielle didn’t sugarcoat things. She called her dad “perfectly imperfect.” He owned up to his mistakes and tried to make things right, no matter how long it took. He looked out for everyone: family, friends, even her friends, who he treated like his own kids.She thanked everyone who cared for him near the end, especially the medical staff and her sisters, whom she called heroes. Through it all, she kept coming back to the same thing: gratitude for the love, even in the hardest moments. “I know his love is eternal and will find me in every realm,” she wrote.Gabrielle’s husband, Dwyane Wade, shared a tribute too, with a simple message: “Thank you for all the memories pops. Love you.”

Gabrielle Union and her bond with her father

Gabrielle’s always been open about her relationship with her dad. She’s talked about how his illness shaped her life, and how caring for him became a priority. Even as dementia took more from him, she kept sharing those moments: snapshots of his humor, his warmth, his love. There’s one memory she holds close: her dad, in a rare moment of clarity, telling her, “I really love you.” That stayed with her. It probably always will.Gabrille previously shared that her dad’s medical care has influenced her career choices, explaining, “You know, nursing homes, what’s covered by insurance, what’s not, home health aids, like that all adds up and having to really be cognizant of an additional output, I have to go where the money goes.”