The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fatherly \Fa"ther*ly\, a.
   1. Like a father in affection and care; paternal; tender;
      protecting; careful.
      [1913 Webster]

            You have showed a tender, fatherly regard. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Of or pertaining to a father.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

fatherly
    adj 1: like or befitting a father or fatherhood; kind and
           protective [syn: fatherly, fatherlike]