Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joshua Lee Rosbach |
| Birth Date | January 19, 1977 |
| Death Date | July 22, 2019 |
| Age at Death | 42 |
| Parents | Harold “Captain Lee” Rosbach; Mary Anne Rosbach |
| Siblings | Sherri Ryan; Glen Ryan; Sean Rosbach; Eric Rosbach |
| Nieces & Nephews | Weston Rosbach; Breanna Ryan; Taylor Ryan; Riley McKeough; Cody McKeough; Anne Marie Rosbach; Madelyn Rosbach; Casey Rosbach |
| Cause of Death | Accidental drug overdose |
| Place of Death | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Public Profile | Private individual; remembered through family tributes and advocacy |
| Notable Themes | Long-term addiction struggle; family resilience; public advocacy on the opioid crisis |
Biography: A quiet life, a resonant story
Joshua Lee Rosbach was born on January 19, 1977, the youngest son of Harold “Captain Lee” Rosbach and Mary Anne Rosbach. Unlike his father—whose salty wit and steady hand as a superyacht captain made him a household name—Joshua lived largely outside the public eye. His story became known because of love, not fame: a family speaking candidly about grief, recovery, and the stark reality of addiction.
For about two decades, Joshua wrestled with substance use, a fight that reportedly began after he was prescribed pain medication for severe injuries. These were years marked by hope and setbacks—rehab stays, periods of improvement, and the ever-present battle against relapse. On July 22, 2019, at age 42, Joshua died from an accidental drug overdose at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His father found him that day. A single moment that cleaved a family’s timeline into before and after.
Joshua did not court attention; he’s remembered for the ties that bound him to those he loved and for the way his life—its struggles and its sweetness—prompted others to speak up, listen harder, and fight the epidemic that has claimed so many.
Family Members: The circle that endured
This is the family who loved Joshua, carried his memory forward, and transformed heartache into purpose.
| Name | Relationship | Short Introduction |
|---|---|---|
| Harold “Captain Lee” Rosbach | Father | A veteran superyacht captain known for his television work, he has become an outspoken advocate on addiction and the opioid/fentanyl crisis. |
| Mary Anne Rosbach | Mother | The family matriarch; appears alongside Captain Lee in tributes honoring Joshua’s memory. |
| Sherri Ryan | Sister | Joshua’s surviving sister; part of the close-knit immediate family. |
| Glen Ryan | Brother | Joshua’s surviving brother; spouse: Sherry Ryan. |
| Sean Rosbach | Brother | Joshua’s surviving brother; maintains a lower public profile. |
| Eric Rosbach | Brother | Joshua’s surviving brother; spouse: Sarah Rosbach. |
| Weston Rosbach | Nephew | Part of the next generation carrying the family name. |
| Breanna Ryan | Niece | Among the nieces who feature in family remembrances. |
| Taylor Ryan | Niece | Named in the immediate family listing. |
| Riley McKeough | Niece | Included among Joshua’s survivors. |
| Cody McKeough | Nephew | Included among Joshua’s survivors. |
| Anne Marie Rosbach | Niece | Carries the Rosbach name forward. |
| Madelyn Rosbach | Niece | Named among Joshua’s immediate survivors. |
| Casey Rosbach | Niece | Listed in family tributes and memorials. |
The obituary also noted that Joshua was predeceased by his grandparents and survived by extended family. The Rosbachs speak about having five children—four sons and a daughter—and the public record reflects this mix of siblings and step-family ties across their larger family story.
Life, Health, and the long road of recovery
Joshua’s life was shaped by a health battle that many families know too well. After an accident that left him with significant injuries—including broken feet and a leg—prescribed pain medication became the first step on a path he did not intend to travel. Over approximately 20 years, he cycled through rehab, experienced periods of progress, and endured relapses that tested his resolve and the family’s strength.
Addiction is an illness that does not negotiate. It is a tide that pulls even strong swimmers far from shore. Joshua’s struggle did not define his humanity, but it did define much of the public account of his life. In speaking openly about it, his family aimed to reduce stigma, widen empathy, and push for better support systems and policies.
Legacy and Advocacy: From private grief to public action
In the months and years following Joshua’s death, Captain Lee and Mary Anne began sharing their story with a broader audience. Captain Lee appeared at a bipartisan roundtable in Washington, D.C., in late October 2021 to talk with lawmakers about the opioid and fentanyl crisis, using his public platform to put a human face on policy debates. He has posted annual tributes, talked candidly about discovering his son, and urged viewers and followers to treat addiction as the medical crisis it is.
Their communication is marked by candor rather than spectacle. It seeks to invite understanding and change—better treatment access, better oversight of dangerous substances, and better community support. Captain Lee also introduced a personal project called Ocean Saviours in Joshua’s honor, tying the family’s maritime roots to a mission of remembrance and service.
Timeline: Dates that tell a family’s story
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 19, 1977 | Birth of Joshua Lee Rosbach. |
| Late 1990s–2019 | Approximate period during which Joshua struggled with addiction, including rehab stays and relapses. |
| July 22, 2019 | Joshua died of an accidental drug overdose in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. |
| Late 2019–2020 | The Rosbach family begins speaking publicly about Joshua’s struggle and their grief. |
| October 28, 2021 | Captain Lee participates in a congressional roundtable, sharing Joshua’s story to advocate for action on the opioid/fentanyl crisis. |
| 2020–2024 | Continued tributes, interviews, and public advocacy; Ocean Saviours announced in Joshua’s honor. |
Media and Social Mentions
Although Joshua himself kept a low public profile, his life and death have been discussed in interviews, television segments, and digital clips featuring Captain Lee. Viewers have seen the captain speak on daytime talk shows, in podcast interviews about addiction, and in televised segments where he recounts the day he found his son and the years that preceded it. Social posts—particularly on Instagram—have become annual touchstones, moments of remembrance marked by heartfelt captions and quiet photos.
These mentions serve a purpose beyond remembrance: they help reframe addiction as an illness and call for responses that match its scale. When public figures speak, doors open. Joshua’s story walked through many of them.
FAQ
Who was Joshua Lee Rosbach?
He was the youngest son of Harold “Captain Lee” Rosbach and Mary Anne Rosbach, remembered as a private individual whose life became publicly discussed due to his family’s advocacy.
How old was he when he died?
He was 42 years old.
What was the cause of death?
He died from an accidental drug overdose.
Where did he pass away?
He passed away in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Did he have a public-facing career?
No; Joshua lived outside the spotlight, and public mentions focus on his health struggle and his family’s response.
Who are his siblings?
Sherri Ryan, Glen Ryan, Sean Rosbach, and Eric Rosbach.
Why is his story discussed publicly?
His parents, especially Captain Lee, chose to share it to raise awareness and push for improvements in addiction policy and treatment.
What advocacy followed his death?
Captain Lee spoke at a bipartisan roundtable in Washington, D.C., continued public tributes, and launched a project honoring Joshua while urging action on the opioid and fentanyl crisis.
