Donny Osmond has called his brother Alan his “protector” in an emotional tribute to the late musician.
Donnie posted “one of the earliest photos” of himself and his brother on Instagram on Tuesday. In that photo, Alan was holding him as a baby.
Donnie wrote in the caption, “Ever since then, I can feel him with his arms around me, watching over me. That’s who he was. My protector, my guide. The one who quietly shouldered so much responsibility so that the rest of us could shine.”
Donny, 72, described the oldest member of the Osmonds family – who passed away at 8:30pm local time on Monday at the age of 76 – as a “leader in every sense of the word”.
“Thanks to his tireless efforts, we were able to build everything we have today. I will always be grateful for the sacrifices he made and the love he showed, not only for me but for our entire family.”
“I owe him more than I can express. I love you, Alan. Thank you for always being there for me.
Until we meet again, Brother Donnie,” he concluded.
Alan’s cause of death has not been revealed, but he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987.
Their brother Meryl was the first to pay tribute to Alan via social media, writing that Alan had been suffering for several days.
Merrill, 72, wrote on Facebook: “I was happy to sit quietly with him.” “We spoke from the heart, like brothers. He was having a hard time, but when I shared a joke or two, he regained his strength to laugh…and he smiled.”
“My brother has now stepped into the presence of his Heavenly Father with honor and peace. His life was not measured in years, but in love, sacrifice, and purpose.”
Merrill shared similar sentiments with Alan, calling her late brother a “missionary” and a “saint.”
According to KSL, Alan died with his wife of more than 50 years, Suzanne Pinegar, and eight sons at his bedside.
Alan rose to fame in the early ’60s when he became a regular on The Andy Williams Show, along with his brothers Meryl, Wayne and Jay.
By the ’70s, the group had their first number one hit, “One Bad Apple,” which Alan helped write, and broke out as major pop stars.
Alan and Pinegar were married at the Provo LDS Temple on July 16, 1974, and the singer continued his career while raising a family.
Against Alan’s wishes, his battle with MS forced him to retire from live performances.
Alan is survived by his wife and eight sons: Michael, Nathan, Doug, David, Scott, John, Alex and Tyler.
