My parents divorced when I was 4. I have a few memories from the years my parents were married, but it is all loud fighting and boring therapy sessions.
My father has two interests in life. Booze and women. He's been a life long drunk, serial cheater, and now on his 4th wife.
My mother died suddenly 10 years ago. My paternal grandmother, who hated my mother, called him and ripped him a new one. She said he was a bad son, a bad husband, and a bad father. He sat in front of his new wife, and cried like a baby over a woman he hadn't seen or spoken to in over 20 years. He called me and said he was sorry, and that he apologized for not being a better father. I reminded him that at one point in his life he had to make a choice. He chose vodka over his son, and that while it was nice to hear his apology about not being a better father, it was in fact, 32 years too late.
I saw him later that year and told him I was done having a one way relationship with him. If he wanted to hear from me again, he needed to pick up the phone, he needed to write the letter, or send the email. This was his chance to man up and if he couldn't be a father, at least be a friend. Otherwise I would just continue living my life without him, as I had always done, and that I wouldn't miss what I never had. 10 years later, and I have yet to hear from him. My uncle tells me that he's so embarrassed that he can't bring himself to get in touch with me. His 89 year old mother bitched at him every time he calls her.
As for myself, I continue on with the happy life that I've built. I have a career, friends that love me, a partner that loves me, and his 3 kids that I adore. I presume that when he dies someone will tell me. I'm not sure I'll care.
In short - my father sucked and I did just fine without him.