Oct 18
From Couganata: My friend who orginally shared the news about the possible closing of the Chart Room Bar sent me and email about her latest visit with the Capt. and his new book, failing health, and upcoming benefit.
I came from visiting with Captain Tony last night. He still has an amazingly strong spirit, but as one would expect for a 92 year-old man, his health is failing. He is very excited about a new book on his life that has just been released. It’s called “Life Lessons of a Legend” by Brad Manard, and is available at Amazon.com. He gave me a copy of the book last night. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s got some great photos and I hear it’s excellent. Captain Tony plans to have a book signing at Captain Tony’s on October 28, during Parrothead week here (Meetings of the Minds).
Also on October 30 there is supposed to be a “Share the Love for Captain Tony” fund-raising event at Rick’s bar on Duval Street. Captain Tony sold his bar years ago and gets none of the profits from it. As you can imagine, he has had extensive medical bills over the past year, and he and his family needs the support.
Many thanks for your help!
Jean
written by phjim
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October 18th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I had the opportunity to meet Captain Tony Last Year. He was so excited that I was from New Jersey. He told us stories and talked to us for quite a bit. It was I think the best experience I had on my first trip to Key West.
I have been a parrothead for quite some time now. I should have gotten to KW a long time ago and met this man.
This past year we saw Jimmy in Atlantic City and he ended with “Last Mango in Paris” acoustic. This really touched my heart and I literally had tears running down my face thinking about the experience of meeting the Great Captain Tony!
Hang in there Captain! We Love ya! Can’t wait to read the book! I wish I could be there for the benefit. If anyone knows how someone can donate please post on Buffettnews.
October 19th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Is it possible to set things up so we can buy autographed copies of the book via the fundraiser or via Captain Tony directly?
He has a lot of us friends ‘up north’ who may not be attending the fundraiser.
Thank you for all the wonderful years & carry on, Captain Tony!
October 19th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Jean sent the same information to me. If you cannot attend the event, donations are accepted via mail:
Checks should be payable to:
“Captain Tony’s Legend Fund”
and mailed to
Marty Tarracino
120 Golf Club Drive
Key West, FL 33040
October 21st, 2008 at 1:11 am
Amazing man…I visited briefly with him this last July during the Hemingway festival…In Cap’n Tony’s at night posing …even with an oxygen tank attached…I have some fond memories of some caricature work I did for him…hears to the legend….papa2k2
October 21st, 2008 at 2:52 am
I have sort of a strange connection to Capt. Tony through my grandfather on my father’s side. I read that Capt. Tony ran away from Elizabeth N.J. because of some trouble and people he kind of ripped off. At that time my Grandfather was the Captain of the Police Reservers in Elizabeth. They actually acted as real police guns and all. I have my grandfather’s badge and also we have his service pistols. I’m sure he probably knew him. My grandfather also a lot of property and houses and commercial buildings. He sold the land to the state for two of the exits for the Garden State Parkway. He was a cop for fun. He used to take me to the police station when I was little. So it’s a strange world.
I am sending warm wishes that he will feel better soon.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Simply going in Capt. Tony’s in KW makes you aware of Tony’s spirit, whether he’s 32 or 92. It’s wonderful that he’s lived so long. There’s no place like it on this earth!! It’s by far my favorite bar in KW, possibly anywhere!
But I’ve just been sent this link and I’d like to know about the situation with the Chart Room. Aren’t Phil’s ashes in the bar and isn’t is considered “sacred ground”??
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Met him 5 years ago. Hope all goes well. By the way, how did the publishers of his book manage to misspell Buffet on the back cover? Editor wasted away again I guess! Good day all!!
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:13 am
IT’s spelled BUFFETT.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1439202222/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link
Under picture of Captain and Buffett on back cover.
I know how it is spelled. It was an attempt at a little humor. Lame to say the least I guess. Good day!!
November 1st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Capt. Tony passed away today. 11/01/08 We Loved that Man !!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
When Capt. Tony called and said, “I’m gonna run for Mayor, and I want you to shoot my TV commercials,” he went on, “First we’ll get Jimmy Buffett and go over to the cemetery, ‘cause I know a tombstone there that’ll really get people’s attention and then we’ll go to the Turtle Crawls and shoot from the tower overlookin’ the harbor and…,” he continued, obviously more excited then usual, so I figured he was really serious this time. Or was it Capt. Tony being Capt. Tony?
Well, one week later, Capt. Tony, Jimmy Buffett and I were in the local cemetery filming next to one of the most famous tombstones in America with the epitaph reading “I Told You I Was Sick!” After that we were off to the Turtle Crawls and other local haunts filming him and Jimmy espousing Tony’s homespun political acumen that would make any belt-way politician’s head spin with envy, not to mention confusion.
Tony wouldn’t win that election, but did go on to eventually meet his goal and became Mayor in 1989. Through the years in Key West I had the pleasure of occasionally working and partying with Tony (mostly partying). I shot an album cover featuring him, Mel Fisher and C.W. Colt for one of C.W.’s first albums, and he was a regular guest, and the most popular, on a weekly TV show I produced in the Keys.
Anyone who knew or met Tony has stories. Even if you just met him, that alone would be a good enough story to bring back and reminisce with your friends about. Yes, Capt. Tony was truly a phenomenon. Had he lived anywhere else beside Key West, he might have been just another colorful character, but Key West and Capt. Tony, that combination my friends, was truly magic, and Capt. Tony is its legend. Sail On Captain- sail on!
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Sadly, I just learned that Capt. Tony passed away on Saturday, November 1. From the mid-80’s through the mid-90’s, I was fortunate to get to know Tony quite well, and he was not just a “colorful character,” but he was a wise, compassionate man truly dedicated to helping others. When he ran for Mayor of Key West (and won election!) he did so because he knew that many lower-income and elderly residents of the island were being displaced by the condos and time shares. He knew that he could use his colorful “shtick” and one-liners to win his way into office, so he could make a real difference. He will be missed!
November 4th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Having just learned about the passing of Capt. Tony an immediate emptness was felt in my heart. I had the great pleasure of meeting Capt. Tony last summer and was fortunante enough to have my picture taken with the Capt. For those who never had the oppertunity to meet him you missed a wonderful man. Those of us who have will always remember him. As our friend Jimmy would sing, A ledgend never dies. Live on Capt Tony, You will be missed.