Surfing great Mick Fanning has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his father, John Joseph Fanning, who died recently. In an Instagram post, the three-time world champion remembered his dad as “a larrikin till his last days,” praising his love, humor and devotion
Mick Fanning didn’t waste words when he posted the news of his father’s death. On Saturday, the three-time world champion went to Instagram with a message that read like a last conversation—full of family, gratitude, and the kind of affection that survives even when someone is gone.
“My Fly High Dad… John Joseph Fanning,” Fanning wrote, as he remembered John as “a larrikin till his last days” while also calling him “a loyal friend to so many.”
In the tribute, Fanning described his father’s place in the family line: “A father of 5, grandfather of 8.” He added that John’s proudest achievements—“in his own words”—were “his Kids and Grandchildren.”
The surf icon painted a vivid picture of John outside the headlines. “Dad was not shy in the club. always becoming the Court Jester and Master of Ceremonies at any local drinking hole. ” Fanning wrote. He recalled how his dad would light up when the younger ones came around. “I know he always did his best for all us kids and he would always light up and become 20 years younger when the little ones would visit.”.
The post also carried the specific grief of someone who knows exactly what they’re losing. Fanning wrote: “I know you’ll have your shirt. pants and boots looking sharp as you venture the universe with your giant smile and infectious laugh.” He went on: “Thank you for all the life lessons. the love and guidance. the honesty.”.
He closed with vows that sounded less like sentiment and more like routine. “I know you’ll always be with me and I’ll always celebrate you. Love you Dad.”
Reaction came quickly from across Australian sport. Swimming great Michael Klim, NRL star Daine Laurie and AFL legend Lance Franklin all offered support. The message was also met with replies from within Fanning’s wider sporting world. with Kelly Slater. Taj Burrow and Stephanie Gilmore among those chiming in.
John Fanning—pictured with Mick, along with Mick’s mother Elizabeth—left Ireland to start a new life in Australia. No cause of death has been announced.
John’s passing adds to a run of tragedies that has struck the Fanning family more than once. and the timing lands heavily when placed beside what Mick has already endured. Mick has said that his brother Sean, 20, died in a car crash in 1998 when Mick was 17. His brother Peter died in a car crash in 2015, aged 43. In March 2024, Mick’s brother Edward, 48, died in Madagascar after an infection from a cut foot and heart complications.
For Mick, grief has not been a distant chapter. He spoke publicly in 2020 about how tragedy accumulated around him. “2015 was such a down year. I went through a divorce. had the shark incident and then. at the end of it all. I lost my brother. ” he said. He described falling into a kind of emotional shutdown: “I was just totally empty at the end of it. I was done.”.
“When I felt like I had nothing to give, nothing to give myself, or to the people around me, or to family and friends,” Fanning continued. “I just didn’t see a way of coming back. I’ve never felt that empty before. I just lay in bed, did nothing, wouldn’t leave the house.”
Edward’s death, too, was met with immediate devastation. Two days after Edward died. Mick wrote: “Ed. love you my brother.” He said Edward had “taught me so much over the years about everything that life could deal up. ” calling him “my teacher” for “the good and the bad.” Fanning said Edward introduced the family “to surfing. the joy and freedom of riding a wave. ” and described the meaning of their pursuit of waves as “the belief that surfing could be that ultimate job.”.
He returned to what Edward gave their lives beyond the ocean: “As the years went on you would fall in and out of the ocean but your pure talent would always shine through.” Mick added that Edward ended up “teaching kids the joy of riding a wave. ” and said. “Without you I’m not sure what the world would of made of me so Thank you.”.
The new loss of John Joseph Fanning brings another heavy entry to a family story that has been marked by sudden departures. For Mick. the Instagram tribute was the clearest kind of answer—one written in the language he knows best: the people who shaped him. the moments that defined them. and the love he insists will never fully leave.
Mick Fanning John Joseph Fanning surfing legend father dies Instagram tribute three-time world champion Australian sport Kelly Slater Taj Burrow Stephanie Gilmore Lance Franklin Daine Laurie Michael Klim
Wow RIP.
This is honestly really sad. The whole “larrikin” thing is kinda sweet, like he sounds like he was fun. But I feel like people only know the headlines about surfing, not the family part.
Wait I thought John Fanning was the singer?? Or maybe that’s a different one. Anyway, “court jester” at a drinking hole sounds like a good time but also like… I don’t know, I just can’t picture it. I hope his kids/grandkids are okay.
The quote about having his “shirt pants and boots looking sharp” made me tear up, not gonna lie. Like why is it always the simplest details that hit the hardest. Also “father of 5, grandfather of 8” is a lot of people to lose one person in the middle of, dang. I didn’t even know Mick Fanning was still alive (sounds dumb), I just saw it on my feed and thought it was some promo at first.