Eight Bells: Gordon Isco

Gordon Isco, 86, passed away peacefully early on March 24 at his home in Gulfport, Florida.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on June 6, 1935, he began sailing catamarans in 1977, leading to a lifestyle of racing the Hobie 18, Hobie 20, and A-Class in numerous national and world championships during his 40+ years of sailing.

In addition to competing, he was also a strong supporter of multihull sailing and worked tirelessly to promote it in its early years. In the mid-1980s, he was instrumental in setting up US Sailing’s multihull council and the US Multihull Championship (Alter Cup). He served for several years as the first chairman of the multihull council and continued to serve as chairman on and off over the next 20 years or so.

To promote youth multihull sailing, he started a program with US Sailing called Fast and Fun to expose kids to multihull sailing. Everything he did he did was purely for love of the sport and to support and expand acceptance of and participation in multihull racing. Sailing really was his life.

He was also an accomplished artist, primarily in the medium of metal sculpture. He designed, created, and donated the perpetual Alter Cup trophy.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Corrine Krall Isco and is survived by his daughter Gina Gramont, son-in-law Marc Gramont, and his beloved greyhound, Tee Cee.

Memorial contributions can be made to Greyhound Pets of America Tampa Chapter, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or your local animal shelter. At his request, there will be there be no memorial service.