My wonderful friend, cruising buddy, Grateful Dead fan and the one who shares my birthday, Steve Nesbit, left this world yesterday. Steve died of a heart attack at the age of 61 while cruising with his lovely wife Lorraine. The news stunned me. I got the email while cruising in Komodo National Park with a boat load of good friends, amongst a pod of dolphins, it would have been Steve’s way.
I first met Steve and Lorraine on the 2011 Sail Indonesia Rally. They had the funkiest little boat, the biggest smiles and the most joy. These people were the iconic Aussies; big smiles, big hearts, big laughs and big love. We soon became fast friends; my crew loved them as did I. I last saw him a month ago as we passed by Pankor Marina and stopped to see them. Again the new crew took to them instantly.
We discovered Steve and I share our birthdays, November 15, 1951, and we planned the first joint birthday party. As we were turning 60 it had to be a 60’s party. Tie dyed shirts, head bands and all the hippy trimmings came out of the lockers of all the cruising boats. Over 50 people danced, ate and celebrated with us. Steve had the smile of a Cheshire Cat. One could see his love of life, friends and especially his lovely wife.
The next year Lorraine arranged the party, I was just arriving in Phuket. Again we had many friends, live music, good food and a wonderful time. I will forever more celebrate my birthdays with Steve.
Steve left us too soon, no doubt, but he left having the time of his life with his new boat, loving wife, cruising friends and headed to new adventures. With a tear in my eye and thinking of our times together, i recall the great quote, “do not cry because it is over, smile becuase it happened” i will always remember Steve with a huge smile, impossible not to.
Brian, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your friend Steve. I was logged onto your site to tell you how much that picture of you, Niall, and one of your crew jumping into the water from the upper deck meant to me — how it typified the carpe diem Brian spirit. Keep it up since we don’t know how long we have. It was a good thing Steve was out in the world, on the boat, with his wife, traveling and having the time of his life. Condolences to Lorraine, it’s never easy.