The Osmond family is grieving the loss of one of their own. Wayne Osmond , the brother of Marie Osmond and Donny Osmond and former member of their family’s singing groups The Osmond Brothers and The Osmonds , died on New Year’s Day after suffering a stroke, according to his family. He was 73.
“My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke,” Donny wrote in a Jan. 2 Instagram post alongside a black and white throwback picture of the musician. “I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed.
” The 67-year-old added, “Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.” Donny—who, along with Wayne, joined most of the family’s nine children in following their parents’ music careers, eventually earning The Osmonds a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame —also shared his gratitude on behalf of the Osmond kids.
“I’m sure I speak on behalf of every one of us siblings when I state that we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother,” he continued, later adding, “I love you, Wayne.” Wayne’s younger brother Merrill Osmond , 71, also shared his grief in a Jan. 2 post to Facebook , noting that he will “miss him tremendously.
” “I’ve never known a man that had more humility,” he wrote. “A man with absolute [sic] no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unc.
