Eight Bells: John Osmond 1942-2024

ORC mourns the recent passing of John D. Osmond III, MD, who passed away on September 20, 2024 at his home on Cape Cod.

John was a passionate ocean-racing sailor and served the sport of sailing in a variety of important roles.

He was Chairman of the Offshore Committee of the US Sailing, and became Deputy Chairman of the ORC, where he started initiatives to promote and develop the use of the system worldwide, which led to the constitution of the current P&D Committee.

He also served extensively on Race Committees and Juries at multiple regattas and venues worldwide. 

John was also past commodore of the Storm Trysail Club and twice served as chairman of the club’s popular biennial Block Island Race Week.

New York Yacht Club Vice-Commodore Clare Harrington worked closely with John for many years and said “John was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Having spent countless hours with him on Race Committee assignments, the NYYC. John was a thoughtful, kind, engaging and loyal friend. He was highly skilled, and his opinions carried great weight.”

Fred Deichmann, the Chair of the 2014 Newport to Bermuda Race, adds, “John was unflappable in a crisis, steady at all times and exhibited a great sense of humor at the idiosyncrasies of sailors and crew."

Now on the eve of the start of the 2024 ORC World Championship at New York YC at Harbour Court next week, some will remember John and his beloved wife Ellyn when they were in the Race Committee in the second ORC World Championship held there in 2000.

Fair winds John, condolences to Ellyn