We regret to record the death of Clayton Love Jr, a founder of the Irish Yachting Association, now Irish Sailing.
Born in 1929, Clayton held the office of President of the IYA for a decade between 1962 and 1972, establishing the modern sport of sailing in this country.
He was also a former Admiral of the oldest yacht club in the world, the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) and a member of the Committee of Management of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
A Cork business leader, Clayton also worked with tireless enthusiasm for sailing in a voluntary capacity. As Afloat's WM Nixon previously documented, he led the amalgamation of the RCYC and the Royal Munster YC in 1967 to create today’s international sailing hub at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour.
A competitive sailor in both inshore and offshore circuits, he contributed much to the Irish Dinghy Racing Association (IDRA), the forerunner to the IYA and in later years was part of the successful 1977 'Big Apple' Admiral's Cup campaign on the Solent.
His great qualities included inspiring enthusiasm, energy, wisdom and consideration, and they will be sorely missed.
In the many tributes now being paid, Tanaiste Micheál Martin told Cork's Evening Echo, that Clayton was a 'trailblazer' who had made an 'enormous contribution to Cork' through his pioneering work in the commercial and business world
Our thoughts and prayers are with Clayton's children, grandchildren, siblings, wider family and his extensive circle of friends at this time.
There is more from the Irish Times here and The Examiner here
A full appreciation will appear in due course.