Captain Lee Rosbach Honors His Son 1 Year After His Passing: "We Will Always Carry You in Our Hearts"

The Below Deck captain shared a touching tribute to his late son, Josh.

By Laura Rosenfeld Jul 23, 2020, 11:02 AM ET

Captain Lee Rosbach is paying tribute to his son, Joshua Lee Rosbach, one year after his passing.

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The Below Deck captain honored Josh with a touching post on Instagram that also shared how he and his wife, Mary Anne, are doing a year after losing their son. "It was a year ago today that my bride, Mary Anne and I lost our beloved Son Josh to his demons. The struggle continues, but we're getting [through] it," Captain Lee wrote. "Thanks to all of you out there for your unconditional support, it does not go unnoticed and touches me in the very depths of my soul. We are both very grateful for the random acts of love and kindness that continue to come our way."

Captain Lee ended the post by sharing how much he and Mary Anne have and always will love their son. "To Josh, we will always carry you in our hearts and will do so until our souls leave our bodies to join you," he wrote. "We love you son and are very proud of the kind and loving person you were. Love, Mom [and] Pops."

View this post on Instagram
It was a year ago today that my bride, Mary Anne and I lost our beloved Son Josh to his demons. The struggle continues, but we're getting thru it. Thanks to all of you out there for your unconditional support, it does not go unnoticed and touches me in the very depths of my soul. We are both very grateful for the random acts of love and kindness that continue to come our way. To Josh, we will always carry you in our hearts and will do so until our souls leave our bodies to join you. We love you son and are very proud of the kind and loving person you were. Love, Mom & Pops
A post shared by Captain Lee Rosbach (@captain_lee_rosbach) on Jul 22, 2020 at 10:12am PDT

Josh passed away on July 22, 2019 at the age of 42 after struggling with addiction for 20 years. When Captain Lee shared the news of his son's passing in a post on Instagram on July 29, 2019, he recommended that those also fighting this disease should "find a way to get help no matter what."

"For those of you who have a friend, family member, son, or daughter who's struggling, 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," Captain Lee continued in the post. "Do not pray for our son, but please take care of your children and friends who may need it, as it isn’t too late for them."

Captain Lee Rosbach Opens up About His Son's Passing: "There's a Hole There That Can't Be Filled"

One of the people who has been there for Captain Lee and Mary Anne during this difficult time is longtime Below Deck chief stew Kate Chastain. Captain Lee shared that Kate traveled from New York to Florida to attend his son's funeral during the Below Deck Season 7 After Show. "Is there a better friend than that?" Captain Lee said. "There aren't many people in the world that you can count on like that, that will be there when you say, 'I need.' And they go, 'I'm here.' They don't even say 'I'm here.' They just show up."

Captain Lee added that it meant so much to him for Kate to "show up, take care of Mary Anne, and be there for our family, not requested, just drop everything." "That was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through in my life," Captain Lee said.