Joseph "Joe" LoGiudice, longtime owner and president of Hustler Powerboats of Calverton, NY, passed away on April 14, 2026, at the age of 79 after a brief battle with leukemia diagnosed the previous December. A fun-loving, straight-shooting New Yorker known for his integrity and warmth, he was just two months shy of his 80th birthday. His death leaves a profound gap in the high-performance boating community, where he was admired as much for his character as for the exceptional vessels he helped create.
Born in New York in 1946, LoGiudice acquired Hustler in 1997 (with his brother Richard) from founder Paul Fiore, who had launched the company in 1979 in the Long Island area. Fiore’s pioneering stepped-hull designs—such as the groundbreaking 32 Hustler that set speed and stability records in the 1980s—had already transformed offshore performance boating. Under LoGiudice’s steady leadership, the Long Island-based company flourished, blending cutting-edge technology, modern materials, and upscale luxury features across a range of custom V-bottoms, catamarans, center consoles, and poker-run models from roughly 21 to 50 feet. Standout offerings during his tenure included the 388 Slingshot (a Kevlar/carbon-fiber milestone that hit 90-plus mph and earned Powerboat of the Year honors), the 39 Rockit (celebrated for blistering speed and rock-solid stability), and later lines like the Shotgun series, Talon cats, and PT entry-level boats. Hustler remained synonymous with innovation, rough-water capability, and owner-driven excellence that influenced the broader industry.
Yet those who knew LoGiudice best rarely led with talk of boats. Family was at the heart of his world: he is survived by his wife of 48 years, MaryEllen, his brother Richard, and nephew Paul—all of whom worked alongside him at Hustler. Customers, competitors, and colleagues alike described him as a man of rare honesty and loyalty who turned business relationships into lifelong friendships. He offered support during tough times, welcomed visitors like old pals, and approached every challenge—whether refining a hull or troubleshooting a build—with precision, determination, and genuine care. Even in later years he stayed hands-on, always eyeing the next improvement.
Asked what his best advice was to potential customers, he told Speedboat, "First, customers have to decide what they want to do with the product they're going to buy. Are they going to be a boater, or are they going to be a racer? They have to decide what they are and who they are, as we all have to do in life. Look what's around you. Do you have a girlfriend? Do you have a wife? Do you have a family? You can't just decide to buy a cat and then six months later you're in divorce court because you went in a different direction. You need to take everybody into account, and come up with a decision that works for everybody around you."
A true gentleman who lived passionately and treated others with respect, LoGiudice’s influence endures in every Hustler that slices through the waves and in the tight-knit community he helped build. Visitation was held Friday evening in Massapequa Park, with funeral services Saturday at St. Rose of Lima RC Church in Massapequa and burial at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale. His legacy of excellence, friendship, and unwavering principles will continue to steer the brand he loved.