Donnie Wahlberg on the Passing of his Friend Gaffa: “Your Story Will be Told, as Promised”

Donnie said goodbye to his dearest friend Michael Hoey (Gaffa) with a touching a letter on Instagram.

Mr. Hoey had been battling Stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver; in 2018, he received a transplant thanks to an anonymous donor and Donnie helped raising money to cover the organ donors’ lost wages over the recovery period.

“I haven’t even had a chance to cry yet, because every memory of you that pops into my head makes me laugh the purest of laughs,” Donnie wrote on Instagram after Mr. Hoey’s passing.

With a series of photos with “Gaffa”, Donnie honored Mr. Hoey’s memory – and their friendship – saying, “In my lowest days you were there without question. In my most vulnerable moments you would listen without judgment. In my darkest times you reminded me how to light my own way. All while never ever asking for anything for yourself. I tell the world to “live life to the fullest” — not sure they know that you are someone who inspired me to do that very thing. Every single day.”

Our condolences to Mr. Hoey’s family and friends.