Justin Bieber is mourning the passing of his “Papa.”
In a heartfelt Instagram tribute on Saturday, April 26, the 31-year-old two-time Grammy winner shared that his maternal grandpa, Bruce Dale, had died.
Dale died on Thursday, April 24, according to an obituary posted online by a funeral facility near Bieber’s hometown of Stratford, Ontario. He was eighty.
Bieber captioned a throwback photo of the couple from 2009, “Papa, I always took all your money lol.” I recall you explicitly telling me that Gramma gave you a $20 stipend for the week! I would always persuade you to spend money on snacks during hockey games on Friday nights. You’ve always reluctantly given it to me.
“Corn nuts, Skittles, gumballs, Chuck-a-Puck, Slush Puppies,” he went on. “Shoutout to the junior B referees Beatty, Fagon, and Flanagan, lmfao. “For suffering my grandfather’s heckling for all of your terrible referee calls, lmfao. My grandfather wasn’t afraid to tell them they were acting like s—s.”
After sharing some sporting memories, Bieber finished his letter to his grandfather by saying, “I can’t wait to see you again soon in heaven.”
“Until then I know you’re watching down, probably still heckling Beatty or Fagon for missing that cross-check call in the corner there, lmfao,” the famed actor said. “I’ll miss you. I’ll be aching. And I’ll sit and remember all of the lovely times we’ve had.”
The shot Bieber picked for his homage was taken in Ontario in November 2009, just days before the then-15-year-old pop sensation released his debut EP, My World. Bieber may be seen smiling at his granddad, his hands resting on his family member’s face.
According to Dale’s obituary, he died at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. He was married to Bieber’s grandmother, Diane Dale, and the father of Candie Toper, Chris Mallette, Chris Dale, and Pattie Mallette, Bieber’s mother.
According to the obituary, Bieber was one of Dale’s three grandkids, and he was a great-grandfather to six children, including Bieber’s son, Jack Blues, whom he had with wife Hailey Bieber.
Bieber’s granddad appeared in both the 2011 film Never Say Never and the 2020 docuseries Justin Bieber: Seasons.
Dale has regularly attended his grandson’s concerts and events throughout the years, including the Seasons premiere, Bieber’s 2015 Comedy Central roast, and the 2013 Believe film debut.
In a February 2018 interview at the Steps to Stardom exhibit at the Stratford Perth Museum, Bieber’s grandpa became emotional when describing his grandson’s success, recalling himself and Diane driving eight hours to see the musician’s “first show.”
“He didn’t know we were coming,” Dale recalled.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked what makes him so sensitive over Bieber. “It simply happened. I can talk to anyone about anything, but talking about him makes me emotional.”