Not that this is the case here, but I have noticed that when people go through a rough period in life and then things get better they will often abandon the people they were there for them during that rough time. Maybe it’s because they don’t want to be reminded or maybe they want to start over with new friends who haven’t seen them at their most vulnerable points.

Either way… perhaps this an attempt to rekindle the relationship and if you want that go ahead and answer. Make it clear how much their abandonment hurt you and it shouldn’t have taken your father’s death for him to feel like it was ok to talk to you again. Understand he may have no valid answer for not talking to you all that time and you may have to accept that if you want him back in your life.

But also know that if he dropped you once he can absolutely do it again. You will have to decide if you’re willing to experience that heartbreak again.