#dbsc – Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) is mourning the loss of its former vice–commodore Caroline Leonard, a stalwart of the Dun Laoghaire yacht racing scene who died yesterday.
Caroline, a member of the Royal Irish Yacht Club since 1991, was for many years the mainstay of DBSC racing, first as a committee member, and then as its Rear Commodore and later Vice Commodore. In more recent times, she was the team leader for the Club's committee boats, enjoying particularly the Club's winter racing.
At its Dun Laoghaire clubhouse, the Royal Irish ensign is displayed at half mast in honour or her memory.
Caroline started her sailing career in dinghies, first in the IDRA 14 Skylark, and then with her husband, Henry moved to keelboats, racing the Ruffian, Doodlebugs, and afterwards the Sigma 33, Leeuwin. She also crewed for a time on Malcolm Alexander's Shipman, Poppy.
In a note to members today, the DBSC website says: 'Caroline will be missed enormously by her friends in Dublin Bay Sailing Club and the Royal Irish Yacht Club. They remember her calm, unflurried presence, her understated professionalism, her personal warmth and ability to resolve personal problems, her gift for friendship. And a reticence that masked a very focussed intelligence. They sympathise with Caroline's family, with her husband, friend and constant companion, Henry, and with her sons and daughters, Simon, Sarah-Jane, Shirley, Kevin and Ralph'.
This evening, DBSC Spring Chicken Series race organiser Fintan Cairns led tributes to Caroline, a big supporter of the winter series. Her DBSC clubmate told the 38-boat Spring Chicken fleet 'It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of one of our own on Freebird, Caroline Leonard - wife of Henry,our RO and mother of Kevin, our results man. Caroline was the "crew boss" on Mac Lir and Freebird for many years and almost from the start of our winter racing was a great supporter, helper and friend. She will be greatly missed by us all. Our sincerest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to Henry, Kevin and the rest of the family'
Funeral arrangements have been posted HERE
