February 19, 2012

John Fairfax: Pirate in a Rowboat

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"He crossed the Atlantic because it was there, and the Pacific because it was also there. He made both crossings in a rowboat because it, too, was there:" John Fairfax, Who Rowed Across Oceans, Dies at 74

The obit at the link gives you a bit of a resume most men, if they are men, would die for.

Pistol packing kid who shot up his Boy Scout campground? Check.

Off to commit suicide by feeding himself to a jaguar and then shooting the jaguar instead? Check.

Self-employed as a trapper in a South American jungle with a specialty in jaguar and ocelot skins? Check.

Literature and philosophy student? Check.

Apprentice pirate? Check.

Row alone across the Atlantic in a rowboat from the Canary Islands to Florida in 180 days? Check.

Row with a girlfriend for company and recreation across the Pacific from San Francisco to Australia in 361 days? Check.

Finish out your days as a professional baccarat player and die of a heart attack at 74 in Nevada?

Check and double-check.


Posted by gerardvanderleun at February 19, 2012 2:54 PM
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Hard to out do this life. I couldn't help thinking about this other story of a will to live: http://www.badassoftheweek.com/koepcke.html

Posted by: stephen b at February 19, 2012 3:52 PM

"Fairfax is survived by his wife Tiffany, a professional astrologer."
Well at least she knew when to take out the insurance policy.

Posted by: Talnik at February 19, 2012 5:27 PM

Since I left the Marines, it's been pretty boring. I did play hockey up until I left for the island last fall. A few years, ago at the age of 47, I got kicked out of a christian hockey league game for fighting (I was not a regular member of that league, the fight started because I couldn't tolerate the hacks I was playing against). Other than those little adventures it's been all mouse pad and toner cartridge.

Posted by: Mike at February 19, 2012 8:57 PM

I read his obit in the paper this morning, then to everyone else within earshot, and wondered what his boat looked like. Thanks for answering that question.

Posted by: robinstarfish at February 20, 2012 12:08 AM

As TMIMITW (The Most Interesting Man in the World) says, “it’s never too early to start beefing up your obituary”.

Posted by: Fausta at February 20, 2012 9:06 AM

Stay thirsty my friends

Posted by: cletus socrates at February 20, 2012 3:24 PM