Funeral details announced for former 'Dancing with the Stars' judge Julian Benson
The 54-year-old, who lived in Ballsbridge in Dublin, was predeceased by his mother Maura. He is mourned by his brother Adrian, sister-in-law Rachel, nieces Leah and Ailbhe, and nephew Cian, as well as his cousins, relatives, close friends and their families, and a wide circle of friends.
Julian will lie in repose at Fanagans Funeral Home, Aungier St, Dublin, this Friday from 5pm until 7pm.
A requiem Mass will be celebrated the following day at 11am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook. Burial will follow at Glasnevin Cemetery.
Julian's loved ones have requested that donations be made to the Julian Benson CF Foundation in lieu of flowers.
In a notice on Rip.ie, Julian's family expressed their heartfelt thanks to all the care teams who helped Julian live 'a full and extraordinary life'
"In particular: The incredible cystic fibrosis team at St Vincent's University Hospital, whose expertise and compassion supported Julian throughout his life; the transplant team at Beaumont Hospital, whose care gave Julian renewed energy and allowed him to see his dream realised, and the ICU team at St Vincent's, who cared for Julian with tenderness and kindness during his final days."
'Courageous battle'
Meanwhile, in a statement last Saturday his family said that his passing followed a a 'courageous battle with cystic fibrosis'.
Mr Benson was diagnosed with the condition when he was a toddler, began dancing when he was just four years old, and turned pro at the age of 14.
He was best known for his time on the judging panel of RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars,where he was affectionately referred to as 'Captain Sparkle' for his trademark, sparkly, custom made jackets.
Julian kept his cystic fibrosis diagnosis private for over 40 years. It was only in 2018, during an appearance on RTÉ's The Late Late Show, that he revealed his lifelong illness and shared his dream of creating a charity to support persons with his condition.
That night, he announced the birth of the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and said: 'I have cystic fibrosis, but cystic fibrosis doesn't have me.'
He teamed up with Dermot Bannon, of RTÉ's Room to Improve, to create a home away from home for cystic fibrosis patients during their hospital treatments in Dublin
Tranquility House in Dublin assists families who otherwise would have to make a round trip from all over the country to St Vincent's Hospital, which is the National Referral hospital for cystic fibrosis.
His relatives said that Julian always wanted to provide a place where families could 'find comfort and peace during difficult times'.
'This extraordinary achievement was made possible by the generosity of over 130 companies and individuals who believed in Julian's vision.
"The remarkable transformation of Tranquility House, featured on Room to Improve in January of this year, is a testament to the power of community and to Julian's unyielding determination.
"Julian's sparkle remains alive in Tranquility House, in the continued work of the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and in the hearts of all who knew him.
"His energy, passion, and joy for life live on through the countless lives he touched, the community he built, and the legacy he leaves behind.
'Cha Cha Boom!' — his iconic catchphrase — will forever be synonymous with his vibrant spirit, his unwavering zest for life, and the joy he brought to everyone around him
His family added that Julian retained his 'strength, warmth and sparkle until the very end".
'He will be remembered not only for his quick witty one-liners, but also for his unwavering kindness and encouragement towards the contestants.'
Julian was a native of Adelaide in Australia, who moved to Ireland with his Irish parents when he was 12 years old. He was a graduate of UCD, where he obtained a degree in psychology, English, and Irish.
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