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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.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
We’re really going to miss you Captain Tony. . . My wife and I have met Captain Tony many times over the years and have great memories of good times in our favorite hangout “Captain Tony’s Saloon” We will continue to spend time in our favorite Bar in Key West. Next visit we will raise our first cup of Pirates Punch to you ! ! Happy sailing Captain . . Keep the wind at you’re back and you’re sails full ! !
Steve & Becky from Michigan
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
May this sail be your happiest, Captain Tony. Sail In Peace!
God speed,
Craig & Michelle from Puerto Rico
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Sail on, Captain Tony. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family and friends.
November 2nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
May you rest in peace Captain Tony.
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
So long ol friend. I will never forget our chats about NJ. You left a MAJOR impression on my life!
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Rest in Peace Capt. Tony- we will miss you!
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
My prayers are with you and your family Captain Tony. God bless you and may your sails stay full!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:57 am
Thanks for all the good times Capt. Tony,
will miss the times you flipped me off to get to my wife!
We will all miss you!!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 am
God Bless You & Your Family, Captain Tony…
Thanks for the wonderful adventures & stories.
We’ll miss you!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Happy Sailing Captain Tony! You will be missed by many.
Thanks for all the wonderful adventures.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Captain Tony your ship has finally made it to margaritville.. Rest in Peace!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
You touched our hearts and brought us smiles. You will always be in our hearts and memories. We’ll be raising a glass to you. Fair winds and smooth sailing Captain Tony.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Tony to old to realize Buffett is voting for the wrong person and to late to try and make jimmy see the light………….. so long tony RIP
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I was lucky enough after visiting Captain Tony’s many times to spend time with the legand at his 89th birthday party. He was as colorful as anyone could ever imagine. I will treasure the picture we took together.
Sail on Captain Tony………..
Isla Mike
November 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I had the great pleasure of meeting Capt. Tony last summer and I really enjoyed the time I was able to set and talk with him. He gave me a letter his daughter had written to him on his birthday. I felt honored that he would share that with me. For those who never meet the Capt you missed a wonderful man. For those who had that pleasure, we are so lucky. So as time passes and I hear The Last Mango in Paris I will remember the time I spent with the Capt. As our friend Jimmy would sing, A ledgend never dies.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
have been inspired by tony, fortunate to have met tony last year in key west, very funny and humourous man. sail on sailor
November 4th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
We’ll always treasure out 2 meeting with you, one with each of our daughters, the flirting, the pictures, the conversations you shared with us, the written letters from 2 of your children, but most of all meeting a legend and experiencing a little bit of the Key West that’s slowly disappearing. Sail On to that “One Particular Harbor”, Glenn from Ga.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:10 am
THANKS JIMMY FOR HELPING OUR COUNTRY ELECT
BARAK OBAMA!
November 5th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I was fortunate enough to meet Captain Tony on a visit to Key West several years ago. I asked for a picture with him, and to this day I have our picture on my fridge. Rest in peace, Captain Tony…….Key West and the rest of the world have lost a true treasure. Sheri from Casselberry, FL
November 6th, 2008 at 3:54 am
My first ever Key West trip is comming soon, i was planning an intresting chat w/Tony, an autograph & Pic. My heart has been broken… Also Jimmy inspired me to meet him. Tony’s DVD is great, but next watching will give me a tear & lump in throat, yall ought to go buy it….You’ll LOVE it !!! My prayers w/you & your “Large cool family” . A Cool Guy i wished i could of shook hands with, Smooth Sailing Captin’ ,,, RIP Tony.
November 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Sorry to see the Captain pass. Cool guy.
Sorry too,
If he wants to give what I give him to people like Obama…..
I will not go to any more high priced concerts,
I won’t go to margaritaville any more,
No more cd’s; I will download off of the net for free any songs that I would like.
November 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I went to Capt. Tony’s for the book signing the day he died, I was sad I was to late to meet a legend. Sail on Sailor!
November 20th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Captain Tony a man with a lot of class
and J Buffett a fool that is just an ass.
January 18th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
What a sad commentary that “wasabuffetfan” had to use this space for his ridiculous rant…Captain Tony you deserve better!
Long live the spirit of the Captain!
You will be missed!
January 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
WE WILL MISS YOU CAPT TONY BUT ONLY FOR A WHILE.WE REMMEMBER TALKING WITH YOU THE CASINO BOAT RIDE AND ALL THE COMPASSIONATE ADVICE FROM THE LOSS OF OUR SON.WE WILL SEE YOU LATER BECAUSE WE NEVER SAY GOODBYE.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
rest in peace captain tony. i hold no grudges for grabbing my girlfriends boob when you took that picture with her.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
rest in peace captain tony. i hold no grudges against you for grabbing my girlfriends boob when you took that picture with her.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Capt. Tony…..you won’t remember me, but I will honor you this year with a memorial to you and the “Third Man”.
RIP…..I love you
March 14th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
With his permission, I used the Captain’s slogan as a midterm exam for my “Personnel Selection and Management” class. Over the years several of my students had the chance to travel to Key West and meet the man responsible for their essay exam. They reported that he was very proud of the fact that his wisdom inspired a portion of a university course. God bless him.