The father of Jeanne Abdullah, wife of former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, died at his home in Subang Jaya, near here at 6.50pm today, said an aide to the former prime minister.

Matthew Danker, 90, leaves behind four children, Jeanne, Rodney, Davo and Susan and three grandchildren, Nadia, Nadene and Nigel.

Jeanne is the eldest in the family.

"He was a very good father and a very gentle person who never raises his voice. He is so patient and he taught us, brothers and sisters, to be close to each other, we are a very close-knit family," Jeanne told Bernama.

She said her father was also an excellent sportsman in his day and among the sports he excelled in was rugby and cricket.

"My dad was truly an all-rounder in sports while at St John's Institution," she added.

Danker was also a stringer with the Malay Mail newspaper in the 60s.

The family is arranging for the funeral to take place on Saturday morning at the Assumption Church, near Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya.

- Bernama