Mr Ratsey, who was born in New Rochelle in 1927, was the first American-born member of the Ratsey family to serve as president of Ratsey & Lapthorn Sailmakers.

The firm, whose sails adorned Lord Nelson's fleet at Trafalgar as well as numerous America's Cup contenders, was founded in England in 1690 and Colin Ratsey was the sixth generation of his family to work at the company loft.