Commodore
Dear Members, The Bridge of MIYC has lost one of our own, Past Commodore Ray Rosenberg. Many of you will have warm memories of 2020, Ray’s year as Commodore, when he presided over the Bridge and served on the Board during the difficult advent of Covid with steady resolve, good sense and a dose of military efficiency. Ray was one of the first Members Kelley and I met when we joined the Club, and, as he often did, Ray took us new members under his wing, introducing us to other Members and gently informing us about Club traditions and the rewards of involvement. It was Ray who encouraged us to go to FCYC events, and eventually got me on the Bridge. I got to know him as a friend, an experienced yachtsman, a gifted amateur chef, and a mentor. Ray was passionate about the things he loved, and among those things were family, country, yachting, two very fortunate cats, and this Club. As a young man, Ray entered the U.S. Army as a buck private recruit, and retired after a distinguished career with the rank of Colonel. It is rare for an enlisted man to be promoted to an officer, even more unusual for such a person to have a successful military career, but Ray was always far above the norms. Ray served his country with distinction during the Vietnam war, something he rarely talked about. Among his decorations were the Bronze Star for valor, with four clusters, which means that Ray was awarded the Bronze Star on five separate occasions. You don’t get the Bronze Star for being a brilliant staff officer (although Ray was one of those), you get it for being shot at and for courage under fire. Ray Rosenberg was an authentic American hero. Ray brought his extensive skills and determination to the business world after the Army, and he excelled as the long- time Executive Director of the Los Angeles, California MLS, one of the most demanding and difficult jobs in real estate, where he met Linda. Ray and Linda were avid sailors in California, Mexico and the Pacific for many years, and they were valued members of Yacht Clubs there, before they decided to move to Marco Island some years ago. When Ray found the Marco Island Yacht Club, he dived in with characteristic energy, and, of course, became a leader. The Club benefited for years from his service, friendship, wise counsel and experience. Ray’s military past was never far beneath the surface. Club colors ceremonies were always a little more snappy, a little more polished under Ray’s command, I recall. As Bridge Officers lined up just before the ceremony, Ray would inspect each of us up and down with that Colonel’s gaze of his, and would remind us yet again to watch our gig lines (the vertical line on the front of the uniform formed by the shirt buttons above and the zipper pleat below). Ray, we, your fellow Bridge Officers, will remember you in every formation, and we will work hard to keep our gig lines straight. Linda has asked that the Club conduct an appropriate Yachtsman’s service for Ray sometime this coming October or November, exact date to be determined. I hope you will all join me then to celebrate the life of a quiet hero, Yachtsman and good friend, Ray Rosenberg. Tom Wentworth Commodore, MIYC
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