FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Nov. 17, 2017)– Mercury Racing is saddened by the loss of our dear friend, veteran offshore powerboat racer and performance boat industry icon Joe Sgro. Joe passed away November 9th from injuries sustained during a boating accident in Marathon, Florida. He was 63 years old. Joe is survived by his wife, Eileen, six children and soon-to-be three grandchildren.
Mercury Racing worked closely with Joe over the years in support of his offshore powerboat competition and poker run efforts. Our most recent collaboration came in June. Joe supported Mercury Marine’s New York, N.Y., media conference by supplying members of the media quick spins down the Hudson River in his record-setting SV43 Outerlimits hull.
On April 29, 2014, Joe and Brian Forehand made back-to-back passes of 179.5 mph and 181.422 mph for an American Power Boat Association Unlimited Vee-Bottom kilo speed record of 180.47 mph. The record still stands.
Mercury Racing General Manager Erik Christiansen, who was with Joe for the historic speed record and the New York media event, shared his thoughts about Joe.
“An event like this reinforces how fragile life really is,” said Christiansen. “Joe was not only a friend and partner of Mercury Racing, he was also a successful and devoted family man who loved to help others. He had a passion for life and will be missed.”
Wake and funeral arrangements are as follows:
Wake
Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Massapequa Funeral Home
4980 Merrick Road, Massapequa, N.Y. 11762
516-882-8200
Funeral
Saturday, November 18, 10 a.m.
St. Barnabas Church
2320 Bedford Ave., Bellmore, N.Y. 11710
516-785-0054
Mercury Racing extends its deepest condolences to the Sgro family and everyone at Outerlimits.
Based in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine, is a leading provider of high-performance marine propulsion systems for discriminating boaters worldwide, offering an exciting and fulfilling power boating experience on the water. Using leading-edge technology, Mercury Racing produces high-performance outboards, sterndrives, propellers, parts and accessories. Mercury Racing also produces crate engines for the automotive aftermarket industry. Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corp. (NYSE: BC), the world's leading manufacturer of recreational products, including pleasure boats, marine engines, fitness equipment, and billiards.
