Hello friends. This is Eric’s daughter Brenda and his son Colin. Captain Eric passed away peacefully this morning at his home in Brookhaven, New York, following a short illness. We will post more on this later, but for now we’d like to thank Nancy Corwin, John Cuenin, Holly Allen, Dr. Annette Racaniello, and the staff at the Brookhaven Health Care Facility for caring for our father during his final weeks.
Eric didn’t want a service, so we suggest having a Fiona cocktail Fiona Cocktail Recipe (Eric’s recipe: 1 part Mount Gay rum, 2 parts apple juice (chilled- no ice), squeeze of lemon) or a happy hour toast in his honor. These are a couple of our favorite pictures of Eric. The first was taken when he was a young fighter pilot in the British Royal Air Force. The second was doing what he loved, sailing.
I am so sorry for your loss, I wish I’d had a father like Eric, he inspired so many people. I’ve saved his book for my Atlantic crossing. Remember him fondly for he was truly a gentleman.
Dear, Brenda,Colin and family.
Very sad news to hear that your Father has passed.
I had the privilege of crewing for Eric across the Bay of Biscay from Falmouth (UK) to Portugal in 2015, we got absolutely smashed in a Force 9 !
Sincere condolences to you and extended family.
Eric was a fantastic man and will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Steve Cheshire (Chesh)
Great man! Rest in peace and blessings Captain Forsyth.
WOW Steve, always an adventure with Eric! Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts. We will really miss our father, but we are happy that he had such an adventurous life doing what he loved. An inspiration to us all!
Eric was a lovely man, a great sailor, and a huge inspiration to many who followed his adventures. May he rest in peace.
Oh Brenda and Colin, I am so, so sorry to hear this. It is too bad that I couldn’t travel East, because I would have visited him. I’ll hold the wonderful memories of him and your mom close in my heart.
Thoughts and prayers for you both.
Betty Lou
I’m so sorry for your loss just know that he lived a life to its fullest. My hat tips too. Just know that we all loved reading his messages, safe passage sailor.
Dear Brenda, Colin and family,
Sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. Along with sailing, his perseverance, determination and ability to press on regardless during North American Vintage Bentley Meets has been and will continue to be an inspiration. Fiona Cocktails have been a staple since introduced during a movie presentation of his sailing adventures. A double today in his honor.
Very sad to hear. What a great life had! May he rest in peace
Very sorry to hear about his passing. Most of us have never accomplished a quarter of what he has done. Fair winds and following seas, Eric.
Brenda and family,
My parents, Mike and Marilyn McKeown, were Mott Lane neighbors and friends of your parents. My Dad sailed virtually with your Dad around the world via ham radio for years. An ocean sailor myself, I’ve been following FIONA news a long time. I was saddened to read of Eric’s illness and death this month. What a sailing icon! We will raise a toast to the memory of Captain Eric and FIONA.
Chris McKeown Burry
Thank you Chris. We remember your parents well and fondly, they were always so kind to us.
Dear Brenda and Colin,
Sad to hear the loss of a great story teller
Thank you Robert, we appreciate your kind words.
Very, very sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. I’m sure you will miss him. We will. What a great number of videos and stories he has left for everyone! I first discovered his videos on Youtube years ago and then caught up with him as he was leaving South America for Antarctica when they had a failure, I think that was 2005? They had to abort the trip to Antarctica as I recall. I believe it was a steering failure. That was nearly 20 years ago now. I had purchased a sailboat a few years prior and was inspired by Eric’s voyages. He has caused me to add items to my bucket list several times! After all of these years, I didn’t realize that Eric was an Electrical engineer. I’m an engineer as well and getting near retirement. Eric was an inspiration for many, as he was for me. Rest in peace Eric! His videos and writings will live on.
Thank you for your kind words and so glad that Eric was an inspiration. Eric won the Halpern award for engineering, a great honor and achievement for him. Enjoy your retirement Dave, hope you have many miles of adventure. Fair Winds!