Sad news out of the world of reality television today, as Ronald Cauchi, the father of Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor, has passed away following a battle with cancer.
Taylor broke the news to his social media followers with a heartfelt message last night:
“My heart is broken, I lost my best friend and the best man I have ever met last night, I love you so much dad I can’t even breathe anymore, only person not letting me fall right now is my amazing girlfriend. I love you dad,” Jax tweeted.
Taylor first revealed that his father was battling stage IV cancer earlier this month:
“Yes cancer f–king sucks, watching my father go through this is killing me.. prayers to all the families that have to deal with this awful disease,” he tweeted on December 4.
“I don’t wish this disease on my worst enemy. #f–kcancer watching your loved ones battle while I sit and watch is the worst feeling.”
In the weeks that followed, Taylor opened up about his father’s illness in a number of candid interviews:
“It’s rough, because my dad, he’s like my idol,” Jax told The Daily Dish on December 11.
“My dad was always the person who never got sick, I always looked up to him. … It’s hurt our family. It’s hurt everybody. It just really sucks. During the holidays, it doesn’t make it any easier.”
Shortly thereafter, he made similar comments in an interview with Us Weekly:
“What do I want for Christmas this year? I want cancer to be out of my father’s body,” he told the magazine.
“If I can ask for anything right now, I just want my dad to be better.”
Jax’s co-stars have publicly offered their condolences and words of support on social media:
“Let’s flood @mrjaxtaylor with love and compassion. So sorry for your loss my friend,” tweeted VPR fan favorite Tom Schwartz.
“I’m so sorry brother,” remarked SUR restaurant manager Peter Madrigal.
Jax’s famous boss, Lisa Vanderpump, has urged fans to allow Jax his privacy and give his family time to heal.
Our thoughts go out to the Taylor family during this difficult time.
Watch Vanderpump Rules online to remind yourself of how Jax became one of the reliably amusing stars in the reality TV galaxy.
