Vanderpump Rules alum Katie Maloney heartbrokenly announced this Friday that her father Richard Maloney has died.
She did not disclose his age or specify the cause of death, but revealed that he passed away this past Sunday, January 5.
The 37-year-old posted a devastated message to her Instagram page along with a picture of her and Richard hugging in the snow.
‘My dad was everyone’s favorite, he was so charming, made everyone feel welcome and comfortable,’ she wrote in the caption.
She praised him for having been ‘so supportive’ of her and her brothers Joey and Rocky, adding that he ‘championed our endeavors’ when his children became adults.
‘Dad, I love you forever, thank you for the million laughs, for the father daughter dances throughout life and for the love you gave us,’ she added.
Vanderpump Rules alum Katie Maloney heartbrokenly revealed this Friday that her father Richard Maloney has died
She did not disclose his age or specify the cause of death, but revealed that he passed away this past Sunday, January 5; pictured in 2023
‘I feel like I am a stranger to grief. As much as it has touched my life and so many I love. It’s not something I have become comfortable or well acquainted with,’ she began the announcement on her Instagram page.
‘This last Sunday my father passed away. Since I have been met with a variety of emotions, numbness, peace, complete udder sadness, and even at times guilt.’
She warmly remembered: ‘My dad was everyone’s favorite, he was so charming, made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. We shared the love of dad jokes and he had an endless supply.’
Katie added: ‘He was always so supportive of my brothers and I growing up and as adults championed our endeavors.’
She continued: ‘I cannot smell Irish spring without immediately thinking about him, how the scent almost covered up the smell of wheel grease from his job. It’s a core memory that I have always held and hold closer now.’
Her message concluded: ‘Dad, I love you forever, thank you for the million laughs, for the father daughter dances throughout life and for the love you gave us,’ and she touchingly signed off: ‘Love, your baby girl.’
Friends and fans flooded into her Instagram comments to offer their condolences to Katie after she shared news of her shattering loss.
Ariana Madix, who co-starred with Katie on Vanderpump Rules and now owns the sandwich shop Something About Her with her, wrote: ‘i love you so so much.’
‘Dad, I love you forever, thank you for the million laughs, for the father daughter dances throughout life and for the love you gave us,’ she wrote
Ariana Madix (right), who co-starred with Katie on Vanderpump Rules and now owns the sandwich shop Something About Her with her, wrote: ‘i love you so so much’
Vanderpump Rules alum Kristen Doute reacted to the snap of the hug in the snow, writing: ‘i love that first photo of the two of you. so many memories. love you.’
Hairstylist Jen Atkin, who is known for her work with the Kardashians and lost her own father in 2022, wrote: ‘Welcome to the worst club ever ever.’
Katie’s brother Rocky Maloney, a photographer, previously posted his own message to Instagram announcing that their father had died.
‘My heart hurts so bad writing this. My Father, Rich Maloney, Passed away on Sunday 1/05/25. He was such an amazing person, dad, and friend,’ wrote Rocky.
‘Not the best jokes but I still love him for them and I will miss hearing them. He was at every football practice, every game either home or away. He was always there for me. Anyone who knew him knew he had an infectious personality, even though he seemed to complain about everything,’ added Katie’s brother.
‘Dad, I will think about you everyday. I will always look at my phone waiting for our daily phone call to talk sports. I will listened to all the voicemails you left.’
He movingly concluded: ‘I will miss you so much. I Love You Dad. You are with God now. Please watch over me and guide be to be a good father like you. If anyone has stories they remember please share, I’d love to hear them !’
Katie and Rocky’s brother Joey, a film director, posted his own tribute to their father on his Instagram page shortly before Katie did.
Katie’s brother Rocky Maloney, a photographer, previously posted his own message to Instagram announcing that their father had died and paying a touching tribute
Rocky included a number of throwback pictures of his father in the in memoriam post
Katie and Rocky’s brother Joey (center) posted a picture of all three siblings together with their parents, Terri and Richard Maloney, alongside his Instagram message remembering his father
‘I have spent the last few days trying to write this and I didn’t even know if I could. On Sunday, January 5th, my father Richard Maloney passed away. It’s so unreal to even think about that, let alone type it out,’ he began.
‘Anyone who met my dad Rich can attest to the thing that made him who he was, his personality. Always with a joke, a quip or useless fact but always engaging. He asked questions and listened,’ Joey continued.
‘Whether it was one of my best friends after school or the waiter at dinner, he enjoyed to talk and listen and he actually cared. As a kid it was sometimes embarrassing or as they say now, “cringe” but now I see how amazing of a trait that was,’ he reflected.
‘Thank you dad for always encouraging me and allowing me to pursue all of my dreams and passions. I wouldn’t be where I am at right now if it wasn’t for you watching wrestling on Saturday mornings before I even really knew what it was or later on, our weekly appointment viewings of RAW on Mondays,’ wrote Joey.
‘While I am glad you got to see me achieve some of these dreams, more importantly, I am glad you got to become a grandfather and see me become a father. I wish you got more time with her but Sonia loves you very very much,’ he added.
You helped me grow into the man I am today, whether in my career or as a father. I will miss talking to you on the phone while on a drive in the middle of no where. I will miss the love you had for life and family and the joy you brought people. I will miss… you. I am happy you are now resting and at peace. I will love you always.’
The accompanying album included a picture of the entire immediate family together – Rocky, Joey, Katie, their mother Terri and Richard.
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