A week after the death of beloved “Growing Pains” star Alan Thicke, his wife shared the pain she is feeling in a statement to TheWrap on Tuesday.
“It is with gut-wrenching sadness and unbelievable grief that I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of love and support during this unimaginable time,” Tanya Thicke said.
“Through tears and smiles our dearest of family and friends came together at our home to celebrate the life of my sweet and devoted husband Alan Thicke,” she continued.
“Yesterday, along with my step sons and our combined extended family, we laid my beloved husband, soul mate and the patriarch of our family to rest. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time of profound mourning.”
Thicke was honored at a memorial in Santa Barbara, California, on Sunday, which was attended by “Growing Pains” alumni including Leonardo DiCaprio, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, Joanna Kerns and Jeremy Miller, along with other stars such as Kris Jenner, Bob Saget, Bill Maher, Alex Trebek, Rob Lowe and Alan’s singer/songwriter son, Robin Thicke.
Thicke died suddenly on Dec. 13 from a heart attack while attending his youngest son’s hockey game. He was 69.
After news of his father’s death broke, “Blurred Lines” singer Robin called him “the best man I ever knew. The best friend I ever had.”
Alan met his third wife, Tanya, in 1999 in Miami, and the couple were married in 2005.
If you would like to make a contribution in Thicke’s memory, his family has asked that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), a cause he cared about deeply.
Visit the JDFR website here to donate.