Just remember that Dads are Dads. Treat them with respect and true concern for their welfare. My father only could hear from one ear and that one needed a hearing aid. It never once stopped him from hearing us tell him how much we loved him.
He would get a little mad at us if we started to feel sorry for our selves, instead of making the most out of every moment we had left together. He never quit fighting the cancer and trying to keep everyone up-beat and working together to cure it.
When they diagnosed him as terminal he asked them if they had any risky or untried testing that needed to be done. He told them he had nothing to lose but cancer. They sent him to Iowa to try out some risky procedures. This made him very happy that maybe his loss would be someone else's gain.
We lost him, but I just know in my heart that what he did way back then is the very reason that I and many of the others are still here and fighting today.
So lets quit worrying about making him upset, and start making the best of every moment together. I never once pulled my hand away from one of my children when they held it out. And even when I was in my deepest worry about my cancer, I wanted to be with my children and grand-children.
I am sure that your father feels much the same way. So go hold his hand, and remember to smile. That is every grumpy old mans Kryptonite.
God Bless
Mark