The Grammy winner penned an emotional tribute and shared a throwback photo of the pair on Instagram amid his ongoing health concerns

Justin Bieber grandfather

Justin Bieber and Bruce Dale in 2009; Justin Bieber in 2021. Photo: 

Justin Bieber is mourning the loss of his “Papa.”

In an emotional Instagram tribute on Saturday, April 26, the two-time Grammy winner, 31, revealed that his maternal grandfather, Bruce Dale, has died.

Dale died on Thursday, April 24, according to an online obituary from a funeral home based in Bieber’s hometown of Stratford, Ontario. He was 80.

Sharing a throwback image of the pair taken in 2009, Bieber wrote in the caption of his post, “Papa, I always took all ur money lol. I remember u specifically telling me, gramma gave u an allowance of 20 dollars for the WEEK! I would always convince you to spend on snacks at the hockey game on Friday nights. Reluctantly you always gave it to me.”

“Corn nuts, skittles, gum balls, chuck a puck, slush puppies,” he added. “Shout out to the jr b referees Beatty, Fagon, Flanagan lmfao. For enduring all of my grandpa’s heckling for all of your horrible referee calls lmfao. My grandpa wasn’t shy in letting them know that they were being pieces of s—s.”

Justin Bieber rubs his grandfather's face when he they met in the Urban Behaviour store prior to a signing session. Justin was happy to tell his granddad, Bruce Dale of Stratford, it was nice of him to shave. Canadian rising pop star Justin Bieber is about to release his album My World. He made a signing appearance Friday at Vaughan Mills Mall. Rick Madonik/Toronto Star.

Justin Bieber holds his grandfather’s face ahead of an autograph signing in November 2009.Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty

After sharing some sports memories, Bieber continued his message to his grandfather, writing: “I can’t wait to see u again soon in heaven.”

“Until then I know ur watching down probly still heckling Beatty or Fagon for missing that cross check call in the corner there lmfao,” the star concluded. “I will miss u. I will ache. And I’ll sit and let myself remember all of the wonderful times we’ve had.”

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The photo Bieber chose for his tribute was taken in Ontario in November 2009 — just days before the then 15-year-old pop star released his debut EP My World. In the image, Bieber can be seen smiling at his grandfather, with his hands placed on his family member’s face.

According to Dale’s obituary, he died at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. He was husband to Bieber’s grandmother, Diane Dale, and father to Candie Toper, Chris Mallette, Chris Dale and Pattie Mallette — Bieber’s mother.

The obituary also states that Bieber was one of his three grandchildren and Dale was a great-grandfather to six kids in total — including Bieber’s son, Jack Blues, whom he shares with wife Hailey Bieber.

Bieber’s grandfather made appearances in both 2011’s Never Say Never and the 2020 Justin Bieber: Seasons docuseries.

Dale frequently attended concerts and events for his grandson over the years, including the premiere of Seasons, Bieber’s 2015 Comedy Central roast and the premiere of his 2013 Believe film.

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Canadian singer Justin Bieber Justin Bieber (L) and grandfather Bruce Dale arrive for YouTube Originals' "Justin Bieber: Seasons" premiere at the Regency Bruin Theatre in Los Angeles on January 27, 2020.

Justin Bieber poses for a photo with grandfather Bruce Dale on Jan 27, 2020.LISA O’CONNOR/AFP via Getty

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In a February 2018 interview at the Steps to Stardom exhibit at the Stratford Perth Museum, Bieber’s grandfather got emotional discussing his grandson’s career, as he recalled himself and Diane driving eight hours to watch the musician’s “first show.”

“He didn’t know we were coming,” Dale remembered.

“I don’t know,” he added when asked what makes him emotional about Bieber. “It just happens. I can sit and talk with anybody about anything, but when it comes to talking about him, I just get emotional.”