'Below Deck' star Captain Lee Rosbach says his youngest son died of drug overdose: 'Addiction is an insidious disease'
Captain Lee Rosbach, a star of Bravo’s Below Deck, is mourning the loss of his youngest son, Joshua, who died of an overdose on July 22.
He shared on social media Monday that he and his wife, Mary Anne, laid the 42-year-old to rest after a “20-year struggle” with addiction. “He finally succumbed to the demons he fought so long and so hard,” he wrote.
People magazine reports that the drug overdose was accidental. According to Joshua’s obituary, he died at home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A celebration of life was held Saturday.
Rosbach wrote in his heartbreaking yet candid post that “addiction is an insidious disease that knows no social status or geographic boundaries. Whether you live in a 10,000-sq.-ft. mansion or a double wide trailer, the path of death, destruction and devastation it leaves remains the same.”
Despite this, “We loved Josh unconditionally and were proud of the man he had become in spite of his problems.” He said his son was a giving person and loved with all of his heart — without expecting any type of reciprocation.
“We both feel a hole in our souls that will never be filled,” he wrote.
Rosbach ended by asking people not to pray for his son. Instead, be proactive in helping their own loved ones who are struggling.
“Take care of your children and friends who may need it, as it isn’t too late for them,” he wrote. “Do what ever it takes to get them the help they need. Be kind and loving, and try to enjoy every second you have with them.”
Some of Rosbach’s co-stars from Below Deck, which follows the exploits of the crew of a luxury yacht he captains, offered condolences in the comments:
So did fellow Bravo personalities, including Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards:
According to Joshua’s obituary, he was a “gentle and kind soul” who was proud to have purchased his first home, which he shared with his “fur ever buddy and protector” Champ. (The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Joshua’s name to the Humane Society of Broward County.)
It also noted that Joshua had a great love for the ocean — like his dad.
In addition to Joshua’s parents, he is also survived by several siblings, their partners and a large extended family.
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