He was 72 and an alcoholic.  He latched on to a little bit of AA towards the end (in the last 3 years or so).  His quality of sobriety was questionable because of being so doped up on meds that it still seemed like he was drunk much of the time and he half-assed it with no step work so he still flipped out periodically with his screaming and selfishness.  My partner has a rocky history with him but nonetheless...it's his dad.  It is strange to look back on the life of someone who has been an alcoholic and lived that long.  I'm sure it contributed to his dying now rather than in his 80s or 90s, but it was more smoking related (lung cancer and COPD).  He was not a very happy person.  Very codependent, married and divorced 4 times.  I'm not gonna say his life was wasted completely, but it could have been a lot more.  It's sad.  It goes to show that even "functional alcoholism" if you could term it that, is a horrible option as well.  He had material wealth, but died largely alone without many people to say anything nice about him.  He did seem at peace when we saw him last.  The last thing he said to us when we visited at Easter was "I love you both" which is amazing considering all the history and issues he had with my partner, his being gay...etc.  He was also nicer, calmer, and way more pleasant than EVER before so it does seem like he was ready.  I do wish he had not had such a rough time with his alcoholism (2 rehabs and DTs several times).  So my partner is sad and will probably be flying out today or tomorrow to go to Alabama to be with them.  I can't go because of my new job.