Gerald Temple LaMarque, a longtime resident of Rye, N.Y. and Vineyard Haven, died at Solomons Nursing Center in Solomons, Md. on Jan. 12 from complications related to Covid-19. He was 87 years old.

He was born on March 15, 1933 and raised in White Plains, N.Y., the son of James Walter Burgess LaMarque and Hilda Temple LaMarque.

He resided his first 18 years in White Plains before relocating to Rye. It was there that he married Judith Ann Warfield and raised a family. He moved to Solomons Md. for semi-retirement, continuing his marine survey business of yachts and small craft.

His love of the sea, its history and all floating craft was a lifelong avocation and vocation. He was a member of the American Yacht Club for 52 years. He served the club in various capacities as a trustee, on its race committee, and as a chairman of the harbor and grounds committee.

Known as Gerry to his friends, he was active in the Junior American Yacht Club as a youngster where he was vice commodore.

He was associated with Nichols Yacht Yards for over 17 years before establishing his own survey firm in 1976. His business was active in both the New York/Connecticut areas, Solomons, Md. as well as Martha’s Vineyard, where he spent summers beginning in 1973. He was a former officer of the National Association of Marine Surveyors and was certified by NAMS. He was also a member of The Storm Trysail Club and The Corinthians for over 25 years in each organization.

He attended The Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y. and New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H., graduating in the class of 1951. He went on to attend Nichols College in Dudley, graduating in 1954 with an associates degree in business administration. A full year was spent at Babson College in Wellesley before entering the recreational boating industry full time.

He is predeceased by his brother John (Jack) C. LaMarque. He is survived by his wife Judith W. LaMarque; daughter Heather W. LaMarque of Vineyard Haven; step-daughter Wendy E. Beaudry of Snohomish, Wash; and step-son Clarke G. Beaudry Jr. of Odenton, Md.; as well as his nephew James C. LaMarque of North Yarmouth Me. He also has four grandchildren.

He will be remembered by his friends and family as a solid crew member for the many offshore races he participated in. He did 12 Newport/Marion Bermuda races, two delivery passages back from Bermuda to New York, extensive cruising in the New England and Long Island Sound waters as well as one design racing in Western Long Island Sound.

Family and friends recall fond memories of his sage advice for all things mechanical, his amazing recall of American history, his ability to fix almost anything in his workshop and his gift of telling a sea yarn over a stiff drink.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Frederick Smith Fund of The New Hampton School, New Hampton, N.H. would be appreciated per his wishes.