Mercury Racing mourns loss of Joe Sgro

Mercury Racing is saddened by the loss of veteran offshore powerboat racer and performance boat industry icon Joe Sgro.

Sgro passed away Nov. 9 from injuries sustained during a boating accident in Marathon, Fla. He was 63 years old. Sgro is survived by his wife, Eileen, six children and soon-to-be three grandchildren.

A wake for Sgro was held on Nov. 16 and 17 at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Massapequa, N.Y. His funeral took place Saturday, Nov. 18, at St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore, N.Y.

Mercury Racing worked closely with Sgro over the years in support of his offshore powerboat competition and poker run efforts. Their most recent collaboration came in June, when Sgro 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, Sgro 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 today.

Mercury Racing General Manager Erik Christiansen, who was with Sgro for the historic speed record and the New York media event, shared his thoughts about Sgro.

“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.”

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