John Marcy Mecray, 80

Jamestown, R.I.

The well-known American realist painter, best known for his marine art, passed away Nov. 1. John grew up in Cape May, N.J., where he developed a lifelong passion for sailing. He attended the Philadelphia College of Art, now the University of the Arts, and had a successful career as an illustrator. He gave service to his country with a tour of duty in Europe.

John moved his family to Newport the same year the Tall Ships first came to the island in 1976 and launched his second career as a marine artist. He combined his superb painting talent with an encyclopedic knowledge of seafaring history. Throughout the years, his paintings and rare drawings were hung in homes of America’s premier art collections.

John’s keen interest in yachts and yachting history led to the founding of Newport’s Museum of Yachting and its annual classic yacht regatta. In 1993, he helped found the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), where he was a trustee. John was a member of the Mystic Seaport Museum’s yachting committee, the New York Yacht Club, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Herreshoff Marine Museum.