yes that is true. there are some hard headed people here as there are in all aspects of life. try and get him to start feeding on a regular schedual. once a week i'd say. since you say he is skinny, try giving him something small at first to get his appetite up. nothing thats gonna fill him up immediately cause he might go off feeding cause of the sizew of the meal. i'd say try large mice at first then after a few weeks move him up to small rats.
its completely understandable of what has happened given your situation and i am very sorry for your loss. you'll pull through it, life has a way of testing our will to keep going. take care of yourself and your family!