Donny Osmond is paying tribute to brother Wayne Osmond after his death at the age of 73.
Wayne Osmond performed alongside Donny and Marie Osmond and more of their siblings in their family singing groups The Osmond Brothers and The Osmonds for decades. On Jan. 2, Donny Osmond announced on Instagram that his older brother had died after suffering a stroke a day prior.
Donny Osmond uploaded a black-and-white throwback photo of his brother smiling to his post. In the caption, he wrote, “My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed.”
The 67-year-old singer praised his brother for his endless positivity. “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 Osmond said.
Wayne Osmond, the son of Olive and George Osmond, was one of nine Osmond children. Donny Osmond expressed in his post how much all of his siblings appreciated Wayne Osmond.
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“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. “Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity.”
He told his older brother he loved him and ended his message with, “Your brother forever, Donny.”
Merrill Osmond, 71, also honored Wayne Osmond with a tribute. He wrote in a Facebook post that he immediately fell to his knees and prayed after learning his brother had a “massive stroke.” He added that he made it to the hospital in time to tell his brother goodbye.
“My brother was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave as an even greater saint than he came in,” he wrote. “I’ve never known a man that had more humility. A man with absolute no guile. An individual that was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met.”
Merrill Osmond said Wayne Osmond’s legacy will be defined by his songwriting skills and the way he connected to people.
“I will miss him tremendously. I am so grateful to have grown up with one of heavenly father’s greatest sons. Until I see him again, know that he was loved,” he concluded. He included two photos of Wayne Osmond playing the guitar and jamming on stage.
Born Aug. 28, 1951, Wayne Osmond and his siblings started performing as children, first in a barbershop quartet and later expanding, releasing hits like “One Bad Apple.” In 2007, The Osmonds reunited for three sold-out shows in Las Vegas, 25 years after they stopped touring together.
