John Centinaro

John married Delores (Dee) Mulnik on June 16, 1990, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa. They met at St. Lawrence on September 25, 1989 at a Singles Group meeting. John was asked to close the meeting with a song, asking the crowd if anyone sang, Dee’s hand went up, and she said, “I do”! After leading the music on a hayride, the following week, John sang “That’s Amore” under a full moon and their love story began.

John dearly loved his wife and family. People who knew him will remember how he would sing on any occasion to spread joy.

He was a devout Catholic, a man of prayer who loved his Lord Jesus and Blessed Mother Mary. His church roles included being a member of the Knights of Columbus, an usher and choir member. John’s loving spirit involved many charitable works, especially providing for the needs of the homeless.

John had been involved in the music business since the early 1960’s. He was the supervisor of two local record shops: Ron’s Record Shop in Britton Plaza and Capri Record Shop in Northgate Plaza, which were owned by a major record distributor in Miami named “Tone”.

He was also involved in concert promotion and helped new artists signed by Tone, by promoting their records in the Tampa Bay area. Artists included Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison and Sonny and Cher, among others.

While at Ron’s Record Shop, he met the group “Mercy”, whose song, “Love Can Make You Happy”, hit the charts at #2, below the Beatles. John became the manager of Mercy and toured with the group which performed on the same show as Frankie Valle and The Four Seasons, and many others.

In 1970, John moved to Nashville, Tennessee and became a booking agent for a top agency named Buddy Lee Attractions. Some of the artists represented by the agency were: Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Tommy Cash, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra Jr., The Four Seasons and many others.

Two members of the group Mercy joined John in Nashville. He managed this singing duo which were named the Country Cavaleers. They were known as the “Beatles of Country Music” because of their long hair, something quite uncommon in Nashville in the early ‘70’s. He secured a record deal for them on MGM Records.

John moved back to Tampa in 1978. He wrote “78: Year of the Buccaneers” and “Flying to Tampa”, which can be seen at the Tampa Bay History Center. He wrote many additional songs about the Tampa Bay area.

He became involved in Ybor City and was the entertainment chairman for the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce for seven years. He was a board member of the Italian Club, served on the Festa Italiana committee, was vice-president of the Italian Club Cemetery, board member of the Ybor City Round Table, Ybor City Museum member, and had been the president of the Ybor City Lions Club for ten years. He was also a member of The Son’s of Italy in Tampa.

On a dinner date in Ybor City, while courting his wife, Dee, John was inspired to write the beautiful love song, “I Fell in Love in Ybor City”, recorded by The Arena Twins, Johnny Charro, Michael Chillura, Rossana Spallino and Melanie Rose…all local artists.

John was the recipient of the 2014 Ybor City Round Table, Sam D. Leto Award.

Remaining to cherish John’s memory are his wife Dee, his sisters, Mary (Jim) Sopkin and Frances (Mike) Pelaez. Nephews and nieces, Dena (Tyde) Gentile, Lisa Pardo, Paul (Amy) Centinaro, Jessica (Mike) Duran, Michael (Mary) Pelaez, and many great nephews and nieces.

Preceding John in death, his brother Joseph Centinaro.

The Wake will be Thursday June 5, 2025, from 4 pm to 7 pm, with the rosary and prayers beginning at 6 pm. The Funeral Mass will be at 10 am, Friday June 6, 2025, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church Tampa, Florida. With interment for immediate family at the Italian Club Cemetery.

Memorial donations, in leu of flowers may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer in Clearwater, Florida.