From the Miami Herald: “Former Key West mayor ‘Tony’ Tarracino dies at 92”
Anthony “Tony” Tarracino, a former mayor of Key West and legendary bar owner of “Captain Tony’s Saloon” whose life was memorialized in a Jimmy Buffett song, has died, according to his wife. He was 92.
Tarracino died Saturday after being hospitalized for about a week with a heart and lung condition, said his wife of 38 years, Marty Tarracino. She and seven of his children were with him, sharing stories in his hospital room shortly before his death, she added.
His story was recounted in a film titled “The Cuba Crossing,” starring Stewart Whitman as Tarracino and in a book called “Life Lessons of a Legend” that Tarracino did with Brad Manard.
Buffett, a longtime friend, sang about Tarracino’s exploits in the song “Last Mango in Paris” from the 1985 album of the same name.
A service was scheduled Saturday morning followed by a reception for family and friends at Captain Tony’s Saloon. Although the bar retains the “Captain Tony’s” name, Tarracino sold it in 1989.
Update from the Miami Herald
A public viewing is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Dean Lopez Funeral Home on Simonton Street in Key West.
On Saturday, an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Mary Star of the Sea church will be followed by a 1 p.m. reception for family members and his many friends at Captain Tony’s Saloon.