The Pogues’ lead vocalist and composer Shane MacGowan passed away at 65 years of age. His wife issued a statement on Thursday confirming the news.

Reminiscing about her late husband, MacGowan’s widow wrote, “who will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear.”

“I don’t know how to say this so I am just going to say it,” stated Clarke. “Shane…has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese.”

The Irish musician was recently brought to the hospital after being diagnosed with encephalitis. He is best known as the lead vocalist of The Pouges and as the performer of the popular Christmas song Fairytale of New York.

MacGowan’s parents were Irish, and he was born in London in 1957. He established The Pogues in the early 1980s after relocating to Ireland in the early 1970s.

In the late ’80s, the band became a global phenomenon because to their innovative blend of punk rock and traditional Irish music.

Released in 1987, Fairytale of New York quickly became a Christmas classic in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and it is the most famous song by The Pogues.

In this duet featuring Kirsty MacColl and MacGowan, we hear the plight of two young Irish immigrants adjusting to life in the Big Apple.

MacGowan’s three children and wife, Victoria May Clarke, are his surviving relatives.