The WWE star pays tribute to the man he calls his hero
Summary
– Johnny Gargano revealed that his 84-year-old father is battling Stage 4 lung and prostate cancer
– Gargano credited his father with helping launch his childhood dream of becoming a wrestler
– He encouraged people to cherish every moment they have with their loved ones
Johnny Gargano has shared the heartbreaking news that his 84-year-old father is battling Stage 4 lung and prostate cancer.
The WWE star revealed the diagnosis on social media after privately carrying the news for several months.
Gargano described his father as the most stubborn, resilient, and hardworking person he has ever known.
His father worked nearly every day of his life until the family’s Cleveland restaurant was destroyed by a fire several years ago.
“This past year he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung and prostate cancer,” Gargano wrote.
Gargano admitted that he has not had enough time to fully process the diagnosis, particularly following the death of his dog, Pawdme.
However, he emphasized that the message was not about his own struggles. It was intended to honor the man he considers his hero.
Gargano credited his father with helping him pursue professional wrestling from an early age.
When Gargano was eight years old, his father organized an independent wrestling show in the parking lot of the family restaurant so his son could finally enter a wrestling ring.
He also waited in line to buy tickets for Gargano to attend WWF events at Cleveland’s Gund Arena.
“A lot of what I have today is because of my father,” Gargano wrote. “He always wanted the best for me, and I hope I made him proud.”
Their work schedules had prevented Gargano from seeing his father recently, but WWE’s upcoming calendar allowed him to spend more time in Cleveland.
Gargano visited while his father was finishing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Even while his son was undergoing treatment, his father remained concerned about him.
According to Gargano, his dad asked how he was doing, how his work was going, and when he would compete in his next match.
Becoming a parent has also given Gargano a new appreciation for everything his father did during his childhood.
His father was 45 years old when Gargano was born, but he remained extremely active with him.
Gargano now has a four-year-old son named Quill and admitted that he does not know how his father managed to keep up with him at that age.
Watching his father spend time with Quill during such a difficult period has created memories that Gargano said he will always cherish.
He concluded his message by encouraging others to appreciate their loved ones while they still have time together.
“Cherish the moments you have with the people you love,” Gargano wrote. “They won’t last forever.”
Gonna take a break from the TV bit for a minute to share some important real life stuff that's been weighing on me with you all. This is my Dad. He's 84 years old, and up until a few years ago when our family restaurant unfortunately burned down, he's worked every single day of… pic.twitter.com/glfQxNTlHI
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) August 11, 2026
