Sail On Captain Tony

phjim · **Posted:** November 2, 2008 7:42 am

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. 

From the song "Last Mango in Paris"
http://www.buffettnews.com/resources/songs/?song=119

I went down to Captain Tony's to get out of the heat
When I heard a voice call out to me, "Son, come have a seat"
I had to search my memory as I looked into those eyes
Our lives change like the weather but a legend never dies

He said, "I ate the last mango in Paris
Took the last plane out of Saigon
Took the first fast boat to China
And "Jimmy, there's still so much to be done."

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.

karat · **Posted:** November 2, 2008 10:07 am

Sail on Captain :cry:

You have brought lasting memories to all that you have touched.

island_hopper · **Posted:** November 2, 2008 3:39 pm

Sail on Cap'n...... :cry:

ANF1017 · **Posted:** November 2, 2008 6:01 pm

Sail on Captain Tony...

nutmeg · **Posted:** November 2, 2008 7:42 pm

Oh dear! Sail on Captain Tony!

SunLover · **Posted:** November 3, 2008 4:28 am

Sad to hear this news. If I was ever able to get to Key West, I would definitely go to Captain Tony's to "get out of the heat".

Sail on, Captain... Sail on.

Dutch Harbor PH · **Posted:** November 3, 2008 4:51 am

Godspeed Captain Tony.......I hope you enjoyed the ride and now the next adventure........

Dutch Harbor PH · **Posted:** November 3, 2008 4:52 am

Dutch Harbor PH wrote:

Godspeed Captain Tony.......I hope you enjoyed the ride and now on to the next adventure........

baby · **Posted:** November 3, 2008 8:09 am

Sail on Captain Tony...

alaura1974 · **Posted:** November 3, 2008 9:22 am

Sail on captain Tony....

Dezdmona · **Posted:** November 3, 2008 10:17 am

New article in the Miami Herald with more biographical information.

''My dad said in his last couple of days that life is nothing but memories,'' TJ said. ``I'm sure he's up there playing blackjack, doubling down on a jack and king and getting an ace -- calling it the breaks. He'll live on through the stories.''

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.

Carolinadreamin' · **Posted:** November 4, 2008 9:08 pm

I was in KW for MOTM and had planned to go to the book signing. When I was in Margaritaville, I was told that he had gone back to the hospital and the book signing for Thursday was postponed until Saturday. Well, as we all know now, Capt. Tony passed before he could do the book signing.

So, I started reading the book on the flight home. I was stopped cold when I read the following part:

"This book is all about my ego. My friend Shel Silverstein once told me books are forever. I want to live forever. My ego's so bad. I know I won't live forever, not unless we get this book written. That's how Shel's living forever, through the books he'd written It's my out-of-control ego. I want to live forever."

Sail on Capt. Tony...........your book is here....... :pirate:

Tiki Bar · **Posted:** November 5, 2008 10:44 am

Carolinadreamin' wrote:

I was in KW for MOTM and had planned to go to the book signing. When I was in Margaritaville, I was told that he had gone back to the hospital and the book signing for Thursday was postponed until Saturday. Well, as we all know now, Capt. Tony passed before he could do the book signing.

So, I started reading the book on the flight home. I was stopped cold when I read the following part:

"This book is all about my ego. My friend Shel Silverstein once told me books are forever. I want to live forever. My ego's so bad. I know I won't live forever, not unless we get this book written. That's how Shel's living forever, through the books he'd written It's my out-of-control ego. I want to live forever."

Sail on Capt. Tony...........your book is here....... :pirate:

Thanks for sharing... makes me smile that the book got written!

Sail On Captain Tony

Who is online