How About This Obituary? John Fairfax

[jdmorton]

This sounds like something out of a crazy fantasy/action novel:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/us/john-fairfax-who-rowed-across-oceans-dies-at-74.html

• Attempted suicide by jaguar
• Settled a dispute with a pistol at the age of 9
• Ran off to live in the Amazon jungle at 13
• Apprenticed to be a pirate (didn't know pirates had an apprenticeship program - wonder if it was a paying one )
• Rowed across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in a rowboat (abeit a specially designed one)
• Owned a mink farm
• Became a gambler later in life

 

[soupcxan]

• He didn't always drink beer, but when he did, he preferred Dos Equis.

 

[73ss454]

I'll bet he took his SS at 62.

 

[Nords]

Became a gambler later in life

Because he got tired of taking all those risks...

 

[haha]

Great story. Both Fairfax and Cook were/are the real deal. I kind of like the way she looks at him too.

 

[Ronstar]

I want to be like him when I grow up.

 

[Midpack]

No regrets I'm sure, a lot to be said for that...

 

[JPatrick]

Great story. Both Fairfax and Cook were/are the real deal. I kind of like the way she looks at him too.

Ah yes, a fellow sunglasses on shirt person..

 

[Sarah in SC]

What a great story! Thank you for posting this. I'm sad that I didn't know about him until he died. What an amazing life.

 

[Htown Harry]

Thanks for posting.

I busted out laughing at this account of his Atlantic crossing:

"On July 19, 1969 — Day 180 — Mr. Fairfax, tanned, tired and about 20 pounds lighter, made landfall at Hollywood, Fla. “This is bloody stupid,” he said as he came ashore."

Apparently the mind can't remember pain - it was just a few years later and he was off across the Pacific.

 

[TromboneAl]

He rowed across the Atlantic and Pacific and got a heart attack at 74. Still liking those Concept 2 machines?