Jan. 2 (UPI) — The second-oldest member of the popular 1970s family band “Osmonds” died Wednesday at age 73 in Salt Lake City, his family announced Thursday.
Brothers Donny, Jay and Merrill confirmed Wayne Osmond’s death in social media posts made Thursday. Donny Osmond confirmed a stroke was Wayne Osmond’s cause of death, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke,” Donny Osmond, 67, posted on Instagram . “I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed.”
“Wayne brought so much light, laughter and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” Donny Osmond said about his older brother. “He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”
Wayne Osmond “passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife [Kathy] and five children,” daughter Amy Cook said in a post on Facebook .
“His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world,” Cook said. “He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever and that banana splits are the best dessert.”