Canadian-born mariner and author Larry Pardey will be remembered by his friends and fans as a generous spirit who inspired thousands of readers to become sailors and sailors to become adventurers. Whether building his own boats, circumnavigating twice sans engine or stretching the definition of sailing by cruising across the Sahara in a landyacht, Larry’s ambition and exploratory enthusiasm made him a living legend.
After several years battling Parkinson’s disease, he passed away peacefully Sunday night at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife, Lin. Together they won scores of awards for their 12 books and 200,000 miles sailed. In a Facebook post, Lin said of her husband, “A few weeks ago, I was on the phone with Mike Anderson, who once asked Larry for a hand on a boat restoration project. I’d asked Mike. “When you think of Larry, what is the first thing that comes to mind?” He hadn’t hesitated, “It was the answer he gave when I tried to thank him. ‘We were put on this earth to help each other.’”
Lin has asked that anyone interested in making a donation in Larry’s honor support the Larry Pardey Memorial Observatory, an organization based on Larry’s work to provide children with a place to explore the night sky unimpeded by city lights.
To donate, visit their fundraiser page.
July 2020
