My dad has been referred to a palliative facility for hospice care.

[orleans]

69. my heart goes out to you -- it can be the most stressful, the most difficult, the saddest of times

to part ways in this lifetime.
but i don't believe they go far -- when i went through something similar with my mom years ago it didn't take her very long to let me know she was still with me, around me.
but when she was in the process of leaving this life it was the hardest and most heartbreaking thing i'd ever gone through. i told her it was okay for her to let go (something i never told my father because i was much younger and didn't quite understand the inevitable at that point).

your dad sounds like a great guy and he's surrounded by a lot of love.