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A note from Gary Gilbert, Class Chairman: Fellow Etchells Sailors,
With sadness I wish to inform you of the passing of a great Etchells sailor, Jerry Fulp. Jerry passed away last week at the age of 77 of congestive heart failure that he had been struggling with for the past few years.
Jerry sailed his many boats all over North America and was always a competitor at the Jaguar Cup. Much of the time he was teamed up with his close friend and co-owner, Randy White. They owned and sailed hulls 988 and 1299. If Jerry was not racing an Etchells he was rebuilding one or towing one to a regatta for a buddy.
Jerry held the famous title of the “The Pizza Man” He started a pizza kit company many years ago when his favorite pizza place closed. Jerry was one of the key features when we sailed at Oriental NC many a spring and fall with “pizza nite!” Something we will all remember.
Jerry had talents many of us did not know of because of his humble nature. He self-taught himself the piano and the organ, which he played at church for 47 years. Jerry, a master mechanic for RJ Reynolds, also competed at a high level in go-carts that he designed, built and drove.
Jerry is survived by his lovely wife Kay, children Jennifer and Kerry plus four grandchildren.
As we all start gearing up to return to Florida for the “Jag” series, we will be missing a true friend.
Memories:
Tomas Hornos:
I was sailing my first year in the Etchells class and we were at the Miami Midwinters with Henry Frazer sailing hull 102 from 1974. Jerry and Henry had spent years bringing that boat back to life. We sailed the first day in strong breeze and returned to the dock to notice the entire wooden keelson had lifted up off the floor of the boat. I was dejected and slowly starting to realize I had no idea how to fix it and that our regatta may be over. Jerry came to the dock and told me he would take care of it. Him and his grandson, Zach Via, spent that night repairing the torn keelson and by morning it was ready to sail again. Old 102 went on to finish 4th at those midwinters, a tremendous result for a boat of that vintage. Thanks to Jerry and his ever positive attitude and incredible ability to remedy any situation. He was a real inspiration.
Eric J. Ellis
USA 316
As a collector of Memories for Jerry. I offer the following:
Jerry was a true friend and a gentle soul. It was my first Etchells world championship, when were invited to a “pizza night”. As a “nobody” being welcomed into the inner circle of incredible sailors was unbelievable. We were treated just like another buddy. I’ll never forget that night because that friendship became one of the strongest in my life. That was just the way Jerry did it!
That laugh. And that always timely, hilarious story; with just enough truth & a little Carolina twang.
He welcomed us into the true fellowship of this great class. He is & always will be a true gift.
Todd Cox
Greatest of guys.
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Share Your Memories We’re collecting memories and anecdotes about Jerry to share with the class on the website. If you have a story you’d like to share, please email it to Pam at [email protected].
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