A Fitting Celebration of Life for Ray Rosenberg

The Marco Island Yacht Club and its membership paid a wonderful homage to one of their own as a procession of seven craft motored out beyond the three-mile mark to salute and bid an emotional farewell to Ray Rosenberg, a longtime member of the Yacht Club and the 2020 Commodore. 

The group couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day with clear skies and smooth seas as their friend made his way out into the Gulf of Mexico. It was a fitting tribute to a man that gave so much to his nation, family and community which he loved so deeply.

Alan Sandlin transmitted his homily so the other six boats could hear his poignant words, paying tribute to the man he called his friend, as they lowered a special float holding a biodegradable urn which slipped so gently into the sea. It returned Rosenberg to the waters he came to love since moving here as the beautiful wreath floated silently above the waters which welcomed him home.

Dave Randall and Shelly Derrough lead the way on “On Liberty” followed by Dave and Ellie Everitt on “Sea-quel,” Chip and Melissa Pittman on their Grady-White, Janice and Scott Bordelon on “Tangled Up In Blues,” Steve and Julie Riley on “Emma G,” Duke and Marsha Pointer on “SolarMate” and Sally Conrad on “Sally’s Seahunt.”

Upon the return to the Yacht Club the gathering honoring Rosenberg witnessed the American Legion Post 404 and the Civil Air Patrol join together in a Presentation of the Colors to honor their former member. Legion Post Commander Lee Rubenstein presented Linda Rosenberg with an American Flag with the respects from the President of the United States for Ray’s service to his nation.

The group was then invited to Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church where everyone gathered for a celebration of life.

Ray Rosenberg’s life was a dedication to his country, his family and later on in life to the community he adopted as his home. He also had a great love of the sea and was very dedicated to boating, whether by sail or on the power yacht he adopted later in life.

He served his nation for 26 years in the United States Army, proudly retiring as a Lt. Colonel. He entered into the private sector during this next segment of his life. His organizational skills and dedication to getting the job done in the most efficient and effective manner served him well. 

His love of the water had ties back to time spent with his father on the Great Lakes, having grown up in the Buffalo, New York area. He had no boundaries later in life as he sailed in and around some of the most beautiful waters here in the United States and had no fear venturing out into international waters off the West Coast of Mexico and into the Bahamas with the love of his life and wife, Linda Spell.

First purchasing a home here in 1994, Linda and Ray eventually declared Marco Island their official residence in 2005, just in time to see Ray put his many skill sets to work as Hurricane Wilma approached Southwest Florida. The Hurricane Three storm made a direct hit on Marco as Ray Rosenberg sat at the Marco Island Desk at the Collier County Emergency Operations Center in Naples.

Ray continued to put his long military service to good use here on the island, but this time up in the air, with the Civil Air Patrol. He joined the local squadron on Marco Island and soon rose to the post of Squadron Commander of Marco Island Senior Squadron SER -FL-376. He eventually rose to the position of Group Five Commander of the Florida Wing overseeing 11 other Squadrons.

His love of country would move him to becoming a Charter Member of the Marco Island Post 404 of the American Legion. He became very instrumental in helping to bring The Wall That Heals Vietnam Memorial to the island on three different occasions as his organizational skills were once again put to excellent use.

He and his wife Linda were very active in the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and they both enjoyed the many cruises they participated in with the Marco Men’s Club.

In addition to his wife of 34 years, Rosenberg leaves his son Raymond H. Rosenberg, Jr., daughters Renee Rosenberg and Michelle Schuneman (husband Ted). He also leaves two grandchildren, Gillian Schuneman and Zachary Schuneman. Not to be forgotten are two Russian Blue kittens, Yuri and Tasha.