Ron Duguay, former NHL legend and boyfriend of Sarah Palin, has died after a battle with colon cancer. He was 69.
“It’s with a shattered heart, but also deep peace knowing Ron is with Jesus now,” Palin, 62, shared via her Instagram Story on Thursday, October 22. “He fought so hard. Love never ends.”
Ron’s daughter Shay Thomas confirmed the news in a separate social media post.
“I love you so much, Dad,” Thomas shared. “My heart is broken, but I know Jesus has you now. Until I see you again. ❤️❤️.”
Duguay played 12 seasons in the NHL from 1977 to 1989, most prolifically with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.
The hockey star and the former Alaska governor began dating in 2022, and she was a constant presence throughout his cancer fight, which began with his diagnosis in December 2024.
“She’s been involved and incredibly supportive in my dad’s entire journey,” Thomas exclusively told Us in February about Palin. “Their relationship can obviously be challenging because they live long-distance. She’s in Alaska, he’s in Florida. But they have always remained close.”
Thomas added, “If we ever need her for something, she would take a red-eye flight on short notice. If we have stuff with our kids and couldn’t make it — for example, my dad had a surgery where they went into his colon and liver — and she stayed with him in the hospital for five days. She’s been a huge source of support. Not only for my dad, but for our entire family.
“We’re incredibly grateful for her,” she said.
Duguay came forward with his cancer diagnosis in February after his family launched a GoFundMe to help with mounting medical costs.
“It was definitely a fight for many months,” Thomas said of the fundraiser. “He said, ‘No, absolutely not.’”
Thomas continued, “His credit card debt was going up and that’s when I told him, ‘Dad, just let me do this. I’m not going to put your name on there. Just let me do this. So many people have asked to help you. You need the help. You’ve helped people. Let them help.’ … We spoke as a family and we said, ‘We need to make this GoFundMe. We gotta do everything we can. Because if we don’t, it’s going to kill you.’”
Earlier this month, Thomas hinted that her father’s health had taken a turn for the worse.
“I wasn’t planning on posting anything, but I believe in the power of prayer, and right now, we need all the prayers we can get,” she posted on October 11. “And I know so many love him so much. Please keep our dad in your prayers.”
