Gold Coast marine figure dies after health battle
A prominent Gold Coast businessman is being remembered as a “champion” after he died following a lengthy health battle.
QLD News
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A prominent Gold Coast entrepreneur who helped run one of the city’s biggest businesses has died after a long health struggle.
Dean Leigh-Smith was a former director of the internationally renowned Gold Coast City Marina and an integral part of the Leigh-Smith Yachts brand, serving as managing director of the luxury boat builder.
The family has been synonymous with the Queensland marine industry for more than 40 years.
Mr Leigh-Smith spent almost two decades at Gold Coast City Marina, a sprawling suburb of marine-themed businesses on the Coomera River which has hosted visits from some of the world’s richest superyacht owners.
After attending The Southport School, Mr Leigh-Smith was barely out of his teens when he started a 16-year career at GCCM in 1997 before establishing Leigh-Smith Yachts with his family in 2014.
But after a long health battle, Mr Leigh-Smith died on Thursday night.
His shattered brother Ryan took to Facebook to pay tribute to the man he described as his “champion”.
“My mentor, my champion, my guide, my business partner, my beautiful Brother gave into a four and half year battle with severe back pain and the horrific side affects that followed,” he wrote.
“Dean was the one to guide many through troubled times and was always there for others in need, putting his issues to the background to focus on the ones that needed him most.
“The pain levels and lack of options to move forward with a quality of life subsided to a level beyond the capability of even the strongest of people on this planet.
“Dean put the needs of his wife, children, parents and myself above is no words to describe the brave, decisive and selfless decisions he had to make in his journey.
“I ask anyone who knew Dean not to pity this situation but to applaud his ultimate bravery and sacrifice for the betterment of his closest family, friends and business.
“I love my brother for everything he taught and did for me over a 44-year period.
“Rest easy my Beautiful friend, rest easy my Brother.
“You are loved continuously and forever and I will be there for your children and family until I can no more.”
His post attracted sympathetic comments from people describing the late marine man as “a beautiful soul” and “incredible individual”, while GCCM CEO Trenton Gay, who worked with Mr Leigh-Smith for more than a decade, remembered a passionate advocate for the maritime sector.
“Dean had a great passion for the marine industry and touched many people along the way,” he said.
“He certainly left his mark and will be sadly missed.”
Originally published as Gold Coast marine figure dies after health battle
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