Wayne Osmond, brother of Donny and Marie Osmond, died aged 73

Wayne Osmond, who was an original member of the singing group The Osmonds, has died. He was 73.

On Thursday, January 2, Wayne’s brothers Donny, Merrill and Jay confirmed the news in social media posts, revealing that he died on January 1 in Salt Lake City after suffering a stroke.

“My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to visit him in hospital before he passed,” Donny, 67, wrote on Instagram. “Wayne brought so much light, laughter and love to all who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by all.”

“I’m sure I speak for each and every one of us siblings when I say we were lucky to have Wayne as a brother,” Donny added. “Although we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne forever.”

The “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” singer ended his post by writing, “I love you Wayne. Your brother forever.”

Meanwhile, Merrill wrote on Facebook that he immediately drove to the hospital when he heard about his brother’s stroke to say goodbye. He then went on to praise his brother, calling him a “saint”.

“I have never known a man who had more humility. A man without guile. Someone who was quick to forgive and had the ability to show unconditional love to everyone he ever met,” wrote Merrill, 71, and adding that his death was a “sad moment”.

“My brother Wayne endured a lot. He gave everything. His legacy will go down as someone who was not only a genius in his ability to write music, but was able to capture the hearts of millions of people and bring them closer to God “, he concluded. “I will miss him tremendously. I am so thankful to have grown up with one of Heavenly Father’s greatest sons. Until I see him again, know he was loved.”

In his own Facebook tribute, Jay called his late brother “a true legend.”

“My heart is deeply saddened by the loss of my brother Wayne. It is said that where there is great love, there is great sorrow when we part during our earthly journey,” wrote Jay, 69. “Throughout my life I have always felt me most connected to Wayne out of all my siblings. He was my roommate and my confidant for decades.”

A representative for Wayne did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The fourth of nine children, Wayne sang in a barbershop quartet with his older brother Alan and younger brothers Merrill and Jay. They were first formed in 1958 for their Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Ogden, Utah.

In 1961, the Osmond brothers were discovered singing at Disneyland and went on to become regulars at The Andy Williams Show. Brothers Donny and Jimmy eventually joined, as well as sister Marie. In 1971, the group reached the height of their fame after the release of “One Bad Apple”. The song spent five weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard 100.

Soon after, the band went their separate ways. Jimmy pursued a solo career, while Donny and Marie, 65, began singing as a duo.

Wayne married Kathlyn White, a former pageant queen, in 1974. They welcomed five children together.

Over the years, Wayne experienced a number of problems with his health. In 1997, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lost almost all of his hearing as a result of the treatment. Then in 2012 he had a stroke that left him unable to play the guitar.

Wayne opened up about his health in an interview with Coping With Cancer Magazine in 2004 and said illness made him appreciate life even more.

“The biggest part of all of this is that I’ve become even closer with my girlfriend, Kathy,” Wayne said of his wife. “She’s an absolute angel. I’m a very, very blessed man. That’s what I am. … I’ve been enlightened. And now I look back on it and I think to myself, I’m glad that I got cancer. It really opened my eyes. And I’m only 52 years old – I hope I can live 52 more!”