Ron Duguay, who was for many seasons an outstanding player for the New York Rangers of the NHL, died on Thursday, October 22 at the age of 69 of colon cancer. His partner, Sarah Palin, made the sad announcement on her Instagram Stories. Palin, 62, is the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice presidential nominee in 2008. She wrote mournfully, "It's with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now. He fought so hard. Love never ends." They were together for four years. According to People, Duguay "was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer over a year ago...."
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The New York Rangers Paid Tribute to Duguay
The Big Apple hockey team posted this statement on
Facebook. "The New York Rangers organization mourns the loss of Ron Duguay, one of the most popular players in franchise history. Ron's signature skating style - with his hair flowing as he moved down the ice - captivated The Garden Faithful, and his skill, tenacity, and charisma earned him the admiration of all New Yorkers. We join the hockey community in sending our condolences to Ron's friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time."Duguay also played for other NHL teams including the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings. His hockey career spanned 1977 to 1988, per People.
He Talked of His Serious Health Challenges in February
Months ago, Ron Duguay opened up to Page Six about his struggles with stage 4 cancer. His loved ones had established a GoFundMe for him to deal with the financial side of his situation.
He admitted, "I find it extremely hard asking for funds for all these costs I'm going through. Normally, I'm helping others."
In fact, despite Duguay's illness, he was still thinking of doing what he could for other people. He told the outlet at the time, "I need to get better so I can help others."
Duguay's Family Established a GoFundMe for Him
In the essay that accompanied the GoFundMe, Duguay's daughters wrote this to explain his difficult circumstances. "Our dad has never been someone who asks for help...especially when it comes to money. He has always tried to handle everything on his own and didn't want to burden anyone else with what he's going through. But after many conversations as a family, we decided to create this fundraiser for him because we've seen firsthand the weight this battle has placed on him, both physically and financially. Because of his cancer, he hasn't been able to work the way he normally would, yet he continues to fight with everything he has."
