Stroke claims Tony Abbott’s father

FORMER prime minister Tony Abbott has lost his father Richard, who has passed away in Sydney.

Richard Abbott died at age 93 after suffering a stroke on Monday.

Mr Abbott paid tribute to his father as he announced the sad news on Twitter yesterday.

“The Abbott family has lost a wonderful husband, father and grandfather,” he said. “God bless you Dad.” The news comes just days after Frances Abbott, Richard’s granddaughter, announced her shock engagement to Olympic rower Samuel Loch. The pair had been together for just two weeks before the proposal took place.

Frances shared the news on Instagram, with a caption that read: “Two weeks was all it took to know that forever with you was a mighty fine idea.”