Captain Tony Passes Away

Tony Tarracino, known as Captain Tony to parrotheads, passed away Saturday at the age of 92 after being hospitalized for a week. His wife Mary of 38 years and seven of his children were by his side.

Captain Tony, owner of Captain Tony’s Saloon and former Key West Mayor, was immortalized by Jimmy Buffett in the song “Last Mango In Paris”.

CBS4.com has more:

His wife and seven of his children shared stories in his hospital room shortly before his death. A viewing is planned for Friday evening in Key West, with a service scheduled for Saturday morning. A reception for family and friends at Captain Tony’s Saloon will follow.

Captain Tony arrived in Key West from New Jersey in 1948. Ten years later, he purchased a bar on Greene Street, calling it Captain Tony’s Saloon. The bar still has the name, though it was sold in 1989.

Captain Tony was a charter boat captain, gambler and a gun runner for Cuban mercenaries during the Bay of Pigs invasion. He served as mayor of Key West from 1989 to 1991.

He married four times and fathered 13 children. A film titled “The Cuba Crossing” recounts his story; Stewart Whitman played Captain Tony. He was also memorialized by musician and longtime friend Jimmy Buffet, in the song “Last Mango in Paris.” Captain Tony also authored a book with Brad Manard, called “Life Lessons of a Legend.”