Well-known Rigger and Author Brion Toss has Died

[johnjuliano]

This has been posted on a FaceBook page devoted to Brion’s memory: https://www.facebook.com/briontosslifememories

Last night as Venus departed from its intimate planetary visit, Our Beloved Brion Toss, surrounded by his loving family, caught a peaceful ride on the glorious tide of a Strawberry Rose Full Moon...we wish him love, peace & fair winds as he climbs the cosmic mast aloft on to his next adventure...✨

A celebration of Brion’s extraordinary life is in planning for a future date.

You can help by sharing your stories, photos, videos & memories with us here: briontosslifememories@gmail.com
or shared here:
Facebook.com/briontosslifememories

Your Written Letters of Love & Remembrance are deeply Cherished & Appreciated:

Brion Toss & Christian Gruye
313 Jackson Street
Port Townsend, WA. 98368

*If you are moved to give other forms of support to our family during this time, donations helping to support our medical expenses are truly welcome: https://venmo.com/Brion-Toss

In the Buddhist tradition:
Brion's consciousness, or soul, will take 49 days before it reincarnates. It is understood that prayers during these days will help guide him along his journey and land him in a lovely place... These first couple of days, while the veil may be thin, are likely the best for this act....💫

Thank you truly for your Love & Support
✨💕🙏 ✨
Christian, Cody & Piper

Please contact Piper with any and all questions: pipercorbett@gmail.com

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I’ve known Brion and Christian as many people in the sailing community have.

Brion had been battling a systemic bone infection followed by bile duct cancer. He seemed to be beating both.

Recently he suffered a stroke. I don’t know what finally took him.

Aside from his position in our sailing lives, he was the finest of people. I was proud to have him as a friend and honored he considered me one of his.

[Jim Cate]

A sad loss to the sailing world. Bon voyage, Brion.

Jim

[Seaworthy Lass]

Vale Brion.

I extend my deepest sympathy to his family. This is a loss to the entire sailing community. His depth of knowledge in the field of rigging and rope work was unique, and his enthusiasm shone though.

After being gifted with his book, I exchanged several emails with Brion and he struck me as a true gentleman in the best meaning of the word.

He will be missed.

Angela

[Dockhead]

How sad! A unique personality in our world. I treasure his books.

[Benz]

We had occasion to meet and speak several times. My rigging still carries much of his "St. Mary's Hitching" which I learned from the first edition of his book.
I hope he did not suffer much.

[mvweebles]

Thanks for posting this. I met Brion a few times over the years and while I did not know him well, he struck me as a kind soul with a good heart. In hindsight, he was amongst the last old-school mariners who gave freely of their time and immense knowledge. Sailing has lost a good teacher, mentor, and archivist.

My best wishes to his friends and family who surely miss him deeply.

Peter

[chris95040]

I’ll be raising my new mizzen mast for the first time later this month, a mast he helped me design. A few years back he did the same for my main mast.

The whole process was a pleasure with Brion, rich with relevant anecdotes and explanations. It was the sort of engagement you only get from someone truly, passionately interested in their work.

Fair winds buddy and thanks for all the help.

[Auspicious]

Sail fast my friend. Fair leads and tight lines.

[northwestsailor]

Brion was certainly the most memorable nautical craftsman and genuinely evolved souls I have ever met. His wit, humor, knowledge, appreciation was infectious. My wife and I feel so honored to have known him. We worked together rebuilding my mast In his shop almost 10 years ago. Ever since I can’t tie a knot, bend a sheet or look at my rigging without thinking of him. And now maybe more than ever I know he will be watching, guiding and teaching us from the higher realms.

Thank you Brion. Sending love and best wishes for your journey ahead. Our condolences to your beloved Christian and family.

[SaltyMetals]

So sad. Unfortunately i never knew him but still treasure my BT Splicing Wand.
Andrew

[redhead]

When we first took possession of our old boat we were wandering around like lost lambs in Port Townsend and saw a sign "Brion Ross, Rigger". Now we've been sailing a long time, but never really had occasion to worry about rigging, and oddly enough had never heard of him.

We saw a man locking the door of his business (of course it was a Friday at 5pm the time we always have a brilliant idea to go looking for something). We approached him, described our old, beaten up boat and asked when he would be open again.

He and his helper/sidekick/accomplice (sorry I don't remember his name) asked us in and we talked for several hours about rigging, about sailing, about previous boats, about life in general.

Never once did the man indicate we were wasting his time off and I will always remember that evening as one that exemplifies the best of being a sailor. Instant connection, lots of stories, many laughs and some hope for a poor old boat.

[NirvanaBob]

Like many of you, I met Brion on several occasions in the shop, own several of his rigging harnesses and rigging tools which have taken me aloft and with which I have made repairs on numerous tasks over time. A brilliant man and true gentleman. And a loss to our community. Fair winds and following seas! Bob

[northwestsailor]

Yes, that is exactly the kind of human being he was. I remember similar times with him wondering to myself how he could be making a living being so liberal with his time, his charm and wit. Always an educator, scholar and inventor with a keenly inquisitive mind and great imagination. My last rig tuning and mast bend was by Brion. Who else in the industry would I trust as much?

[dannc]

Dang.

Very sad news....

Later,
Dan

[Offshore1960]

Just so sad to hear of Brion's passing. I was just thinking of him this morning and how his books would be of immense help to a friend who is just starting out.

My condolences to his friends and family.