I am heartbroken to read this. I have nothing to add except for so much love for Captain Lee.
This past Saturday, my beloved wife Mary Anne and I laid our youngest son, Joshua Lee Rosbach to rest. After a twenty year struggle, he finally succumbed to the demons he fought so long and so hard.
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. We loved Josh unconditionally and were proud of the man he had become in spite of his problems. There was no one i ever knew who gave more of himself to those in his life. He loved with all his being without expecting anything in return. We both feel a hole in our souls that will never be filled.
So my message to those of you who are fighting this disease, 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. 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 & Mary Anne
I am off to go hug my 17 yr old son. Goodness all the tears , he is going to think I am crazy.
I’m with you Jenn I just got up and hugged my 20 year old. He said mom you ok? I said yes I just want you to know I love you!
Heartbreaking. Read with tears on my eyes.
So heartbreaking.
So sadly familiar to so many. Never ever get used to these .
My heart is breaking for Captain Lee and Mary Ann. Although I’m not on Twitter I look from time to time at his posts and Kate’s. I noticed she was saying she was making a quick unexpected trip to Florida and people were so nasty about her lips, smh. Captain Lee made a comment we would know soon. I truly don’t understand the nastiness. I pray that the fans and others are noting but kind to Captain Lee and Mary Ann, they seem like kind, salt of the earth people. I will be saying extra prayers and extra hugs and kisses for my 3 and 5 year old babies.
My heart breaks for Lee and his family. May they find comfort during this difficult time.
Very sad for their loss. I can’t imagine the pain they’re experiencing 😢
My heart is so heavy. This has happened to many I love. As Captain Lee asked;please don’t give up or ultimatums. Please don’t judge. All are doing their best.
Heartbreaking….my brother lost his oldest daughter – a mother of four – to addiction. Shows how strong the addiction can be – that it trumps 4 children……so sad for a parent to lose a chilld under any circumstances. It’s a club no one wants to belong to…..
This is such heartbreaking news 💔 I pray their words help others really think.
That is so terrible, my heart breaks for Captain Lee and his family. I wish no family had to go through that, mine did as well, (my brother) and things were never the same.
I’m heartbroken for them so devastating, love and prayers
So, so sad. Addiction is my #1 fear for my kids. I cannot image how hard that is for their family. Devastating.
we need to address drug addiction as a medical rather than a criminal issue. Maybe vote that way in 2020, rather than praying for the deceased person??? Just a thought. Let’s try to limit the drug overdose deaths, rather than lament and weep over them.
If we were losing any given animal at the rate we are experiencing overdoses, something would be done right quick. Can you imagine thousands of whales washing up at that rate? I came very close to losing my son, he had a very serious narcotic (intravenous) addiction. He went to a YEAR LONG (are you listening LuAnn?) program, then worked as director for that church for 4 years. It is crazy that it is not being addressed as a health issue. My heart breaks for them. Sometimes back then I would lay awake and worry and wonder what clothes he’d be laid out in. I just called him to tell him again how proud I am of him. I’m sorry this hits close to home.
I highly recommend the documentary short Heroin(e). It was nominated for an Oscar two years ago. It is available on Netflix.
I agree that documentary short Heroin is really worth seeing and left a lasting impression. My heart goes out to Captain Lee and Mary Ann. Such good people to have to suffer this way. So many lost. We really have to do make some head way with the drug epidemic in this country and the out of control drug trafficking. The statistics are just staggering.
Over a year and a half later, I still think of it. It literally changed my view both personally and professionally (and I’m just a property manager) and in some of my volunteerism.
Thank you ladies. I find what you have contributed by your comments to this sad loss wise, touching and I’ll watch the documentary.
Interested in what you think. It didn’t win the Oscar, but I can’t be mad at that b/c the winner Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405 inspired me to keep taking pottery (art) classes even though I haven’t ever exhibited any talent before. It is my therapy. 2016 was a great year for documentary shorts.
I watched with my kids. Middle school showed in Health Class as well.
Wow, what a gut punch, my heart hurts for them. I’ve known a few addicts and so many of them feel with such intensity that they self medicate. It breaks my heart. Sending healing prayers to them.
I remember in his talking head after the accident on the boat when a life was almost lost. He was devestated at the thought of having to tell a parent their child was gone on his watch. He broke my heart then and he breaks my heart now. I hope peace finds both he and Mary Anne. I cannot imagine their pain. I hope no one can. This world, this country, is being eaten alive by the demons of addiciton. It is the aids epidemic of this generation in the sense that everyone knows someone who has died. I wish for them to be surrounded by so much love and support.
The immediate thought in my mind when I read the headline was the accident with Ashton. Capt Lee was overcome with emotion thinking of having to call a young man’s family to let them know their son had died. He had to excuse himself from his TH interview. He again became distraught while debriefing the crew in their meeting. His voice and chin were again quivering while trying to explain the severity of what happened, how quickly life can change on a boat and become dangerous, and again almost broke down at the thought of having to call Ashton’s parents. For some reason I’m remembering him saying that he would never want to get that call about one of his own sons. He talked about the importance of family and that they all needed to take care of each other while on the boat. I cried instantly when I read the headline.
SO heartbreaking. I hated seeing this news. I can’t imagine the hell and pain they are going through right now.
What a searingly powerful statement. As someone with addiction in my immediate family, I relate deeply.
So sad. No parent expects to outlive the child.
Heartbreaking. He isnt wrong about the devastation it can wreak on a family and circle of friends. Ive not lost family to death yet, but for personal safety reasons I’ve in essence lost a cousin because of his addictions and his refusal to deal with his other mental health issues. We were close as kids and even as teens when his diseases were starting to take hold. I miss him terribly at times but he isn’t my KID. I cannot really fathom what they are going through as a family.
Addiction is harrowing for its unfortunate victims & for all the people & family who love them ( despite the havoc & heartbreaking circumstances which surround them.) God bless Capt & Mrs. Lee; such heartbreakingly sad news. Eloquently written testament to the love he had his son. I wish you both peace in this truly awful time. I am impressed with the courage & dignity you have shared with us during such a difficult in your lives. Deepest sympathy with love & prayers being sent your way. Warmest regards, Marc
This is such a sad thing to happen to such a kind couple. I’ve lived on both sides of addiction. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve OD’d — playing chicken with God or accidentally. Woken up soaking wet in a shower or on the floor with buckets of water poured on my head, getting mouth to mouth from a friend. Or being the one watering and resuscitating. I thought my family would be better off without me. I was wrong. I was a good person but I hated myself. Love of friends and family, divine intervention and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy pulled me through. One thing I’ve seen in every addict I’ve known is the loss of hope. CBT (and the best therapist ever) taught me how to get it back. I learned how to live a life of love instead of fear. I thought that could never happen. Capt. Lee did everything right, love and support your child. Hope that they live long enough to see the light. Cherish every day with those you love.
Addiction is the most misunderstood disease there is. I pray daily for all those struggling with it and for their family members. As the mother of an addict, who is almost a year clean and sober, I can tell you it is a beast like no other that robs you of even the simplest of joys in life. Thinking of Captain Lee, Mary Anne and all their family!
Although not a fan of his, losing a child is the worst. Just talking with someone the other day who just lost their niece to accidental overdose. 22, just graduated college, but got injured while playing volleyball for the school. Prescribed meds and got hooked.
How devastating. My prayers go out to Captain Lee and Mrs. Lee.
Heartbreaking. Just the worst thing ever.
No parent should ever have to bury their child.
That is probably the most well written obituary I have ever seen when dealing with an addiction related death. I myself struggle to this day with my disease. My heart breaks for their family and everyone dealing with this disease. It affects not only the addict but everyone in their life. The most important thing when dealing with this disease is to educate yourself on it. Don’t pass judgement, try to understand. No one chooses to be an addict. It’s not a glamorous lifestyle.
Getting help seems so easy from the outside, but if you only knew what it was like. Its a complete lifestyle and mental change that takes years to achieve and then hopefully the rest of your life to maintain. It’s a daily struggle whether you are in active addiction or recovery.
I don’t normally comment or talk much about this, but after reading what was wrote by Captain Lee, I was moved to. I wish for peace in their lives.
I’m just so unbelievably happy that people are talking openly about this disease- and yes for those of you who don’t know or don’t want to believe, it is a disease. Our brains are different.
It’s no longer a dark secret that only certain people deal with. It is everywhere and can affect anyone. Peace and love to his family/friends and to anyone reading this that understands what I felt I needed to get out of me today 😉.
Best wishes for continuing your life in the light. It’s amazing how good it can be on the other side, isn’t it? Even when it gets bad, it’s better than going back.
A complete lifestyle and mental change that takes years to achieve and then hopefully maintain the rest of your life. This is exactly perfectly well said. To the point…and yes…it IS a disease. And yes, our brains ARE different. Thank you for your words. I’m going to use this description from now on, whenever I’m asked. This disease doesn’t know any income brackets….it is everywhere…
Again…thank you for so eloquently describing what has escaped me for the last 2&1/2 years.
Carol
Am going hugging every kid in sight today. You may see me on the news today under arrest for excessive unwanted hugging of everyone including any police or news reporter that shows up on my doorstep. This is heart breaking. Very sad. I wish their family peace.
Oh, Captain Lee. I am so very sorry to hear this terrible news. Addiction is just the devil. It is the number one thing I fear for my children. We talk about it constantly, since they were really little. And tell your kids they can always come to their parents for help. We love you no matter what. Praying for peace and healing for Lee and Mary Ann and their family.
May his memory always be a blessing.
My entire immediate family suffered from addiction. From alcohol to drugs to sex. I am keenly aware of that fact, and use it a lesson towards the children I was left to raise because the parents died. I also suffer from alcohol addiction and try to stay away from “hard” liquor. Tho I admittedly do drunk on occasion, I limit myself to 2 at the most and always have a DD with me. My pain medication is strictly monitored as well. My prayers for Captain Lee and his family.
This is incredibly sad. We saw last year how much that anchor accident affected Captain Lee, I can’t imagine the devastation of losing a child. My prayers go out to him and his family.
So sad. Rip
Heartbreaking. The struggle is real. I know. I have a child who was 6 years in the clutches of addiction. Be vigilant, be persistent, be loving and above all be strong. Those 6 years almost killed my child and nearly killed me BUT i am very happy to say this child is now 4 years clean and serene. All the pain and anxiety and fear that i experienced has faded, and the same with my child’s pain, anxiety & fears, as happiness and self worth have replaced them. It’s a happy life my friends, but trust and believe when i tell you i continue to stay open to seeing those familiar red flags…I would be a fool not to.