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Bill Flay, father of chef and TV personality Bobby Flay, has died at the age of 93.
Bobby shared the news about his father’s death in an Instagram post Feb. 25.
“Thank you for all of the thoughtful words for me and my family about my dad’s passing,” he said. “Here is the obituary I wrote that will be in The NY Times tomorrow.”
The post included a throwback photo of his dad wearing sunglasses and sipping water on a sunny day. The two shared a striking resemblance, which fans pointed out each time Bobby celebrated his dad’s birthday throughout the years.
The 60-year-old restaurateur also posted an adorable childhood picture of him preparing for a haircut as his dad looked on.
In his obituary, Bobby wrote that his dad, William Francis Flay, died on Feb. 23 from “natural causes.” He described his father as a “proud native Manhattanite” and said he spent most of his life living in the city.
His dad served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant before working as an attorney. Later in his life, he partnered with restaurateur Joe Allen and the two grew his business as well as the Orso brand of restaurants. In his late ‘60s, Bill decided to return to school to finish his master’s degree in art history.
Bobby recalled an unforgettable conversation Bill shared with his only granddaughter, Sophie, when she was a teenager.
“In a now infamous family moment, he asked his then sixteen-year-old granddaughter to grant him one wish; ‘the only thing I want from you,’ he said, ‘is for you to be an interesting person.’”
The Food Network star said his daughter remembers that special moment every day.
“William Francis Flay died knowing he got his wish,” he continued. “With all his influence and accomplishments, that moment was the most important to him because he was around to watch it happen before his eyes.”
Sophie — the award-winning chef’s only child with ex-wife Kate Connelly — honored her late grandfather in a heartfelt Instagram post, too.
On Feb. 25, Sophie posted a carousel of photos that showed some of the sweet moments she has shared with her grandfather over the years. In a few of the pictures, the two ate ice cream, traveled together and snapped selfies around Los Angeles.
“My grandfather was my whole world,” Sophie began in the caption. “He was a Navy Lieutenant who spoke four languages. He adored and believed in education.”
The ABC7 journalist shared some more unique parts of her grandfather’s personality, adding that he always dressed up for any occasion.
She continued, “He was never underdressed. If we weren’t together on my birthday, he’d put on a button down shirt and blazer just for FaceTime.”
Sophie Flay wrote that her grandfather was a jokester who enjoyed profiteroles, opera, ballet, art history, new technology, Andrea Bocelli, Christina Aguilera and Nicki Minaj. He was a big soccer and baseball fan, too, who watched the Premier League and rooted for the New York Mets.
“We never just walked down the street, we always had some sort of silly dance incorporated into each step. Giving a wave or a hello to passersby,” she recalled.
Sophie summed up her grandfather’s legacy by concluding, “Bill Flay charmed everyone he met.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
