Family tragedy strikes footy legend Mario Fenech as he fights his own health battle

NRL great Mario Fenech and his family are mourning the loss of his father Albert, who died on Sunday after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The sad news was announced by Fenech's brother Stephen on Instagram on Monday.

'The population of heaven increased by one when my father Albert passed away peacefully overnight just a few short months after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease,' the well-known Sydney journalist wrote.

'While my family is struggling with the loss we will forever cherish our memories of him as someone we admired and adored and who had worked so hard to provide everything we could possibly need in our lives.

'Me and my brothers are the men we are today because of him and our families are so close and so strong because of the amazing foundation he built.'

The post was accompanied by photos of Albert with his sons Mario, Stephen and Michael, together with their mother.  

Motor neurone disease is caused when nerves in the brain and spinal cord — which are integral to the ability to walk, speak and breathe — stop working properly.

As the condition progresses, sufferers find that all of these actions become more difficult or impossible.

South Sydney great Mario is currently fighting his own health battle after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia eight years ago.

Fenech, 62, suffered many concussions during his 14-year career in first-grade rugby league and has been told he is suffering from the effects of the deadly brain condition chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been tied to head knocks suffered by players in several football codes.

Last September his wife Rebecca said some of his colleagues from his time on the hit TV program The Footy Show have abandoned him since he was diagnosed with the devastating illness.

She said only three former Footy Show stars - Paul 'Fatty Vautin, Peter Sterling and Steve 'Blocker' Roach - still have some contact with Mario, despite him showing early stages of his illness while still on the show.

Fenech was recently spotted enjoying a day out in Sydney. 

Uniting Aged Care Services at Balmoral had organised the outing and Fenech was seen with his trademark South Sydney cap and a big smile as he chatted with friends and volunteers.

It comes after the South Sydney legend was spotted at Rabbitohs training in September after the club invited him down to mingle with the current players.