carwreck.com: around Boston harbor...

From Scuttlebutt, the daily sailing newsletter:

Briggs Swift Cunningham II, 96, a renowned competitive sailor and sports-car racer, died July 2, 2003 at his home in Las Vegas from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Perhaps best known in sailing as the inventor of the "Cunningham," a device that allows one to adjust the tension on the luff of a sail, Cunningham also skippered Columbia to win the 1958 America's Cup. Additionally, Cunningham was very established in car racing circles, becoming the first American to challenge the Europeans in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1950. He helped form the Automobile Racing Club of American (ARCA) in 1934, was a founding member of the Sports Car Club of America, and was member number one (the member with the longest seniority) of the New York Yacht Club.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Laura (nee Cramer) of Las Vegas, son Briggs S. Cunningham III of Danville, KY., daughters Lucie McKinney of Green farms, CT., and Cythlen Maddock of Palm Beach, FL., and step-sons Bill Elmer and Joe Elmer, nineteen grandchildren and thirty one great grandchildren. Services will be Aug 8, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. at Pacific View Cemetery, 3500 Pacific View Dr, Corona Del Mar, CA. In lieu of flower's, it is requested that donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.

Ah yes Briggs Swift, I remember him well. He was good with his hands, fast on the rudder, easy with the sails, and his 10 inch draft always met well with my water line. I'm curious about what "complications from alzheimers disease" means. I suppose it could mean he forgot he had alzheimers, and hence forgot to take his meds. Or, he forgot he was driving in a race, and tossed his anchor? None the less, I miss Briggs... Fair Seas and Following Winds.

Mr.C.--The kindest ,gentlest of men. He did Pass from complications of his insidious disease. If you have never known anyone with Alzheimer's you would not know what the many "complications"could be. Just know that he passed peacefully in his sleep and that he was attended by his loving wife, among others when his final moments came.