Patrick Duffy Adores Spending Holidays with 4 Grandkids Who Helped Him Heal after Passing of Wife of 43 Years

Despite successes as an actor and director in Hollywood, Patrick Duffy experienced the most blissful marriage with his wife for forty-three years. Sadly, she died unexpectedly, but he found solace in his sons, who remained supportive. Now, he is having the time of his life, vacationing as a grandad to his four grandkids.

For over four decades, Patrick Duffy has consistently performed as an incredible actor and director. In reality, the "Dallas" star also experienced the same success in his marriage to Carlyn Rosser.

Despite their age difference, Rosser was about seven years his senior; the couple remained inseparable throughout their time together.

Sadly, in 2017, after forty-three years as a couple, death clawed Rosser away from her husband and their two kids, Padraic and Conor.

Expectedly, it was a devastating blow for the then 70-year-old who had spent nearly five decades of his life with his remarkable partner. However, following her death, the actor claimed he still felt her presence, mentioning, "I can hear her. I can see her."

Patrick added that being conscious of her presence has made him fashion his decisions based on her expectations. He said, "I know what she would expect of me, and I try and live up to that."

Even though he tried to honor her memory, the "Dallas" star admitted that accepting her death was a bitter pill. Rosser died unexpectedly, without indication, so it made adjusting to her absence very challenging.

Through it all, her sons were present to comfort their father, but while they tried to cheer him up, Patrick noted that he was well-adjusted to the situation due to his age. In his words:

"I'm probably more adjusted to this set of circumstances than they are. You reach a certain age and you realize the road ahead is much shorter than the road behind."

Although he claimed to be more accustomed to such a circumstance, Patrick loved to have his sons around. An insider revealed that while he was grieving, Padraic and Conor, both in show business, lived with him.

Thankfully, the actor continues to forge ahead, appreciating life and all it offers. At the same time, he honors the memories of his deceased wife and shows gratitude to the family surrounding him.

Furthermore, while sharing how he overcame grief, the director maintained that he is proud of his accomplishments and has no regrets. Rather, he is confident that time makes it possible to "mend every fence" he has broken.

Patrick Duffy and Carlyn Rosser's Sons

Patrick and Rosser's apples did not fall too far from the tree. The actor's sons happened to be inspired by his career and followed in his footsteps.

At 73, the doting grandpa is still excited about Santa Claus. He revealed that the family has always upheld a tradition of honoring the December holiday and that when his sons got married, they decided to celebrate it in their homes.

Padraic was born in 1974, the same year his parents tied the knot. He grew to love entertainment, but rather than make acting his main career, like his father, Padraic preferred to work behind the scenes.

Although he has appeared in a few productions like "Dallas" and "Err," he is famous for writing the 2009 film "Me, You, a Bag & Bamboo." Patrick's eldest son also sits on the board of a Los Angeles theater company as a managing director.

Like his parents, the writer is in an admirable relationship with his wife, Emily Kosloski, whom he married on May 16, 2009. Interestingly, Padraic is a father to two kids.

Patrick's youngest son, Conor, born on January 16, 1980, also makes the family proud. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and a well-known actor.

Conor's acting credits include "Dallas," "The Mick," "Good Girls Don't…," "Arrested Development," "Angie Tribeca," "Superstore," and "From a Place of Darkness." Like his dad, the younger actor is happily married to Emily Cutler, his wife of sixteen years, and they share two children.

Patrick Duffy Is Happy Again, Years after Losing His Wife

Even though he misses his wife, Patrick is still happy, thanks to his grandkids. The actor claimed that his sons' offspring are his "greatest pleasure," adding that as a grandparent, he relives the memories of being a fresh parent.

Patrick maintained that his grandkids gave him the same joy he felt while parenting Padraic and Conor. The "Dallas" star is a constant feature in his grandkids' lives, and he does not deny his love for spending time with them. But despite the special bonding time and the fun they all have during the holidays, the actor is not carried away.

Surprisingly, the grandad intends to teach the little minions some core values relating to the holiday season; this includes "innocence and appreciation" so that they would truly understand the meaning of these holidays. In his words:

"I realize there's probably only two holidays of the year that can instill that. One is Christmas, of course," And the other is Thanksgiving because that's when you gather as a family, and you're not isolated as units, but everybody gets together at the same time. And without that, you're just wandering around, wondering when you'll get invited to dinner."

At 73, the doting grandpa is still excited about Santa Claus. He revealed that the family has always upheld a tradition of honoring the December holiday and that when his sons got married, they decided to celebrate it in their homes.

Patrick noted that Christmas always called for family unity, first among the nuclear family before other family members visit the home. He explained:

"I always felt it was so important to wake up in your own bed as a child and to just have that family unit together all day, in your pajamas, eating crap you shouldn't eat."

The Hollywood icon continued, "And then the parents trying to clean up all the mess. But that's what it's about. So a few days after, a few days before, that's when grandparents show up."

While he intends to reaffirm these traditions with the younger ones, Patrick is conscious of allowing them to create personal stories. He claimed that it feels "rewarding" to see their innocence thriving.

Indeed, Patrick is thankful for the past and hopeful for the future. He has refused to allow tragedy to mar his life; rather, the actor enjoys bliss as the family's patriarch while he remembers his deceased wife.