Wayne Osmond, brother of Donny and Marie, dead at 73 after massive stroke: We ‘will miss him dearly’

nypost.com:

KTVX. Wayne’s brother, Merrill Osmond, 71, said in a Facebook post that the singer had a massive stroke.After learning the news, Merrill said he drove to the hospital and “was able to say [his] goodbyes.”“Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children,” the Osmond family’s statement read.“His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world.”“He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert,” the family added. “We love him and will miss him dearly.”The first of the Osmond siblings to pass away, Wayne was the second-oldest of the original Osmond Brothers group and the fourth oldest of the nine Osmond children.He was only six years old when he and his brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay began singing as a barbershop-quartet style act in Ogden, Utah, in 1958.The Osmond Brothers rose to fame in the 1960s after performing at Disneyland and were spotted by the father of singer and TV host Andy Williams, who booked the group to appear on his “Andy Williams Show.” The band, which soon added Osmond brothers Jimmy and Donny, continued to appear regularly on the show.The young Mormons presented a wholesome, clean-cut image and soon became teen idols.The Osmonds’ music peaked in popularity in 1971 when their single “One Bad Apple” hit No.