Marine Industry Mourns the Passing of Industry Leader Noel Osborne

NMMA joins the recreational boating industry in mourning the passing of longtime marine industry leader, dealer and consultant Noel Osborne, who died Aug. 7 at age 89.

Osborne spent decades in the recreational boating industry, building a career that spanned boat retailing, dealer education, consulting and industry leadership. After beginning his professional career in aerospace and defense, he entered the marine industry and opened Osborne Boat Sales in York, Pennsylvania, in 1971. The company eventually grew to five locations across Pennsylvania and Maryland. Osborne applied management practices from his aerospace career to the dealership business, developing dealer management programs that would influence his later work as an industry consultant.

In 1990, Osborne acquired Naples Boat Mart in Naples, Florida, growing the business into one of the area's largest dealerships. He sold the dealership in 1998 and established Osborne and Associates, providing consulting and training services to marine manufacturers and dealerships.

Osborne became particularly well known for his work in dealer education, including his involvement with Yamaha Marine's Performance 500 and Symposium training programs. Over the course of his consulting career, he provided training and support for Yamaha Marine USA and Canada, Correct Craft and a number of other boat manufacturers and individual dealerships. He also contributed articles on dealership management, service and marketing to marine industry publications, including Boating Industry.

His industry leadership extended beyond the dealership community. Osborne served as president of the Collier County Marine Trades Association and chaired an NMMA task force focused on bringing the marine industry together. He was also a recipient of the Robert Hammond Leadership Award.

Osborne is survived by his wife, Sandi; three children, Phil Osborne, Susan Jernigan and Kimberly Kerlin; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Osborne. Services will be at the discretion of the family.

NMMA extends its condolences to Osborne's family, friends and colleagues throughout the recreational boating industry.