Adventurer Fairfax, 74, dies in Henderson

RENO -- John Fairfax, the first known person to row alone across the Atlantic Ocean, has died at his Henderson home. He was 74.

The self-described "professional adventurer" died Feb. 8 of an apparent heart attack, his wife, Tiffany, said Sunday.

Fairfax gained international attention in 1969 when he became the first person in recorded history to cross the Atlantic alone by rowboat. He dealt with sharks, storms and exhaustion on the six-month, 5,000-mile journey from the Canary Islands to Florida.

In 1972, he and his girlfriend, Sylvia Cook, became the first known people to row across the Pacific Ocean. He survived a shark attack and cyclone on the yearlong, 8,000-mile trek from San Francisco to Australia.

Fairfax wrote books about his voyages that were published in the 1970s.

"He was a man of unbelievable strength and courage and confidence in everything he did," Tiffany Fairfax said. "He thought nature was a worthy challenge, and he loved nature."

John Fairfax enjoyed many other adventures, including a trip to the Amazon jungle and a stint as a pirate. He also spoke five languages, was a talented chef and regularly played baccarat at Las Vegas casinos, his wife said.

His only immediate survivor is his wife of 31 years, who moved with him to Southern Nevada in 1992 after a hurricane in Florida where they had lived.