The Food Network star posted a heartfelt message on Father’s Day, marking his second Father’s Day without his father, expressing his deep yearning for the man who influenced his life.
On June 15, 2025, Guy Fieri paid a heartfelt and intimate homage to his late father, Jim Fieri, in an Instagram post on Father’s Day. His remarks struck a chord with many people, inspiring followers on social media to share messages of love, compassion, and support.
The 57-year-old TV host thanked God for his family, friends, health, and experiences, among other benefits. His post’s main focus was an homage to his father, whom he acknowledged as the source of those blessings.
“I have so much to be thankful for in this life,” he stated. “But the reason I have these blessings, these opportunities, is because of my DAD (and my mom).”
Guy continued by discussing the long-term effects of his father’s absence, including how he frequently wishes he could call him for guidance or just to chat. He went on to say that he aspires to be the same type of guiding, encouraging figure for his own kids, instilling in them the values and respect necessary to become excellent fathers themselves.
“Happy Father’s Day to all those that lead by example and take care of their kids [sic]!!” he said.
Fans responded with heartfelt support. One commented, “First ones always the toughest. Sending much ❤️️.” Another supporter recalled, “Loved seeing your Dad on your shows. Humble and kind spirit. Praying comfort and consolation.”
A third simply wrote, “You do a great job, Mr Fieri.” Someone else remarked, “Much love Guy. Your dad set the example. You are an amazing father. ❤️” Another commenter said, “Sending love brother! Happy Father’s Day to one of the best dads!” One more added, “Happy Father’s Day ❤️ Sending love and light.”
Guy’s 2025 homage was the second Father’s Day he had lost his father, Jim, who passed away from pancreatic disease in January 2024. Hunter, Ryder, and Jules are his grandchildren, together with his wife Penelope, Guy, and his wife Lori.
Guy celebrated the event without Jim for the first time last June. The restaurateur acknowledged that it was a “tough day” for him in a video posted to Instagram at the time. “But even when you’re having a tough day, some little miracles happen in the world,” he said.
Guy recalls being surrounded by loved ones over the day, including a heartwarming moment when he received a personalised glass from his friend’s kid.
“Today at dinner, she came up and gave me a card and handed me this glass that says, ‘Only the best uncles are promoted to godfather,’ and asked me if I’d be her godfather. Pretty special day,” he said. The caption of his post also read, “I said I would be honored and YES.”
Guy once shared that Jim had been cancer-free for five years by the time he celebrated his 80th birthday, reflecting on his father’s fortitude and tenacity during his fight with pancreatic cancer.
He admired how his father supported others facing the same diagnosis, “He’s been a great advocate for people that have gone through it.” Acknowledging the seriousness of the illness, he added, “It’s not a great success rate. But I think you got to live every single day. That’s the biggest thing, is you never know what tomorrow’s going to bring.”
Guy made it clear at the time that his family was still his first priority, particularly as his parents aged and their requirements increased.
Guy often credited his father as a personal role model. “I wanted to be a dad, I wanted to be a great dad. I want to be like my dad,” he said. He described both of his parents as his heroes, hardworking, devoted to their family, and active in their community. The TV personality also aspired to follow their example.
Guy discussed the emotional fallout from his father’s passing in an interview with “In Depth with Graham Bensinger” in September 2024, stating that he became quite reclusive during the initial days.
In an attempt to cope with the loss, he distanced himself from people and found it difficult to interact with them.
Amid his grief, he was contacted by Karen, a spiritual medium and family friend, who said she had received an urgent message from his father. “She said, ‘Your dad is blowing me up.’ I go, ‘What?’ She goes, ‘Your dad is all over me about you,’” Guy recalled.
Guy revealed that the medium started giving him extremely detailed information that no one else could have known, stating that his father was attempting to contact him immediately. He claimed he got chills from how accurate what she told him was.
Guy continued, “She goes, ‘And they don’t come to me like this. It’s usually like five or six days.’ This was like day two. So she said, ‘He’s really hell bent at getting in touch with you.’ So that helped,” Guy said, adding that it brought him unexpected comfort during a painful time.
He also reflected on how the grieving process changed him. “All the things that I said I wouldn’t do: I wasn’t gonna go for the cremation part and take him there. I wasn’t gonna go do that. I was just, ‘I don’t want any part of this.’ Something changed, took a whole different thing… I surprised myself about how I handled it,” he explained.
