Nov 9, 2008 10:46 pm US/Eastern
Family, Friends Remember "Captain Tony" Tarracino
KEY WEST (CBS4) ―
-
-
Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau
A legend lives on in South Florida. Captain Tony Tarracino, known for his love of life in Key West was laid to rest not with tears but with a party. The city of Key West closed down a street so hundreds could party and celebrate the life of a legend.
Playing "When the Saints Come Marching In," a New Orleans-style procession filled the streets for a man who embodied Life in Key West. The current Mayor of Key West followed the procession from the church to Tony's Saloon. "He gave dimension to the saying, 'only in Key West,'" said Morgan McPherson, mayor of Key West to
CBS4's Jorge Estevez outside of Captain Tony's Saloon, a bar on Greene Street off Duval Street.
Hundreds of friends came out as well. "The Captain has left the ship, but the ship sails on and he will live forever," said Sir Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic. "He lived life everyday to its fullest," said Timothy Stitch, who dressed as a pirate to commemorate the life of a pirate lead by Tony Tarracino.
Tony Tarracino came to Key West in 1948 with 18 dollars. Ten years later, he opened Captain Tony's saloon. He gained friendships even with Jimmy Buffet who wrote "Last Mango in Paris" based on Captain Tony.
CBS4 was with Captain Tony years ago to cheer on one of his children on Survivor. "I've watched every show," said Tony Tarracino during the competition. In his 70s, Tarracino became mayor of Key West. Throughout his life was quite the ladies man, marrying four times, fathering thirteen children his last one, when he was in his 70s.
Tony Tarracino Jr., Tony Sr.'s youngest son, was in the crowd. "All we can do is carry out his memories and his stories," said Tony Jr. "It's his town. It's his people. He loved it," said Coral Tarracino was of his daughters. His other daughter told Estevez that the one thing people didn't know about her father was that he worried about everyone. "Is this one's kid okay? Is this one father going to be all right? He really was a loving person," said Toni Tarracino, the daughter who bares his name.
Doves were released outside Captain Tony's Saloon. Tarracino was a family man. "Your stories about my Dad are the kindest we will carry out throughout our lives," said Tony Tarracino Jr. Tarracino was a partier. "He would have been happy with this wonderful party. He loved being the center of attention," said Marty Tarracino.
So whether it's a Tony Souvenir, a picture at his bar or his son Tony Junior, his memory will on forever at Tony's saloon. Captain Tony passed away at age 92, from heart and lung complications.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Super Bowl Ad: Snickers & Betty White
Click to enlarge
Web Extra: Meet The Two Nosed Calf
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments