The CSI: NY and Forrest Gump actor shared the news through a heartbreaking essay detailing his son's battle with Chordoma

Gary Sinise and his family are mourning the loss of his beloved son McCanna Sinise, who has passed away aged 33.

The actor's official foundation shared the announcement Tuesday afternoon, revealing that McCanna, who was nicknamed Mac, died on January 5 of this year after a five-and-a-half year battle with Chordoma, a rare form of bone cancer that largely impacts the skull and spine.

Mac is survived by his father and his mother Moira Harris, as well as siblings Sophie, 35, and Ella, 32.

In honor of his son, Gary wrote a lengthy essay detailing Mac and the family's journey with Chordoma, which began in the summer of 2018, just as his wife Moira was battling with stage 3 breast cancer (she is now in remission).

"After surgery to remove the initial tumor in September of 2018, and another spine procedure in February 2019 to clear what looked like an infection, unfortunately a follow up scan in May of 2019 would show that his Chordoma had come back and was spreading," he recalled, adding: "This began a long battle that disabled him more and more as time went on."

REMEMBERING THEM

• 

  In memoriam: Stars who have died in 2024 so far

Though the cancer paralyzed Mac from the neck down, with the exception of "limited use of his right arm, and fingers on his left hand," Gary shared how all through 2023, he worked on a record titled "Arctic Circles," which later spawned into an album,

After detailing his son's inspiring efforts to continue to work on his music along with a supportive group of fellow musicians, and how he celebrated his 33rd birthday in November at Blackbird Studios, Gary revealed Mac lost his battle to cancer the week the album went to press.

MORE: Sex and The City and Days of Our Lives actor Eddie Driscoll dies aged 60

MORE: Captain Marvel, Star Trek star Kenneth Mitchell dead at 49 – cause of death revealed

"Like any family experiencing such a loss, we are heartbroken and have been managing as best we can," he wrote, emphasizing: "As parents, it is so difficult losing a child."

He continued: "My heart goes out to all who have suffered a similar loss, and to anyone who has lost a loved one. We've all experienced it in some way."

MORE: Coronation Street star John Savident dies aged 86

"It's heartbreaking, and it's just damn hard. Our family's cancer fight lasted for 5 ½ years, and it became more and more challenging as time went on."

Still, he added: "While our hearts ache at missing him, we are comforted in knowing that Mac is no longer struggling, and inspired and moved by how he managed it. He fought an uphill battle against a cancer that has no cure, but he never quit trying."

Gary ultimately shared: "He gave his family and friends so much during his 33 years, and he accomplished great things in those final months. With a glorious teaming of two old pals from college, his vision for this beautiful music was realized," concluding with: "Thank you, Mac. You did it. Resurrection & Revival will live on. And so will you. In our hearts forever. We were blessed to have you in our lives as son, brother, and friend...and we will miss you and love you for eternity."

Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbHLpaammZeWx6q6xGeaqKVfmLKtscGroK2hlah8dn2TbGtpZ5eWv7p50qKloquVYsCwuoymmJxllJqupXnArWRsa18%3D