Rob Parmentier, president of Marquis Yachts, said it will be “business as usual” for the builder following the news last week that Marquis Chairman Irwin Jacobs had died with his wife, Alexandra, in an apparent murder-suicide.
Parmentier wrote a letter to all Marquis dealers, which Trade Only Today acquired from a dealer, informing them of Irwin Jacobs’ death.
“We will all certainly miss him. He was an innovator, a fighter, a prognosticator, a friend,” wrote Parmentier. “He had a true and deep passion for the boating industry. It really was a love to him, as it is for all of us. Irwin has owned many businesses, in many different categories, but boating was one category that he held close to his heart.”
Parmentier said he understood that the dealers would have questions about the brand’s future.
“As for Marquis Yachts, it is business as usual! As more information becomes available and able to be shared, I will,” he wrote. “Please allow us time to gather the factual information and it will be shared with you as quickly as possible.”
Parmentier asked the dealers not to contact the Jacobs family, who also requested privacy after the tragic deaths of their parents were made public. “Please grieve with them while respecting their space,” he wrote.
