Victoria Contos

Victoria “Vicki” Centinaro Contos, age 100 died February 3, 2022. A native and life-long resident of Tampa, Mrs. Contos was a former member of St. John Greek Orthodox Church, its Philoptochos Society, and the Daughters of Penelope.

She was a charter member of Bayside United Cerebral Palsy Clinic on Davis Island in the 1950’s. From birth, her son, Nelson DiSalvo, Jr., was afflicted with cerebral palsy, and although very intelligent, he lacked motor and speech skills. As a result, she spent many years in volunteer efforts for the benefit of those with this handicap. She and other parents of children with special needs founded the Hillsborough Association for the Retarded (HARC) where she served on its board of directors. In addition, she was instrumental in the formation of the ARC Learning and Achievement Center, Angels Unaware and the Alafia Home. She was an active member of the Parent Advisory Group of the Hillsborough County Development Center.

Mrs. Contos was a former member and officer of the Legal Secretaries Association and the Temple Terrace Business and Professional Women’s Club where she served as a volunteer at University Community Hospital.

In the span of 30 years, she worked first as a secretary for attorney I.C. Spoto and became his judicial assistant when he was appointed Circuit Judge. She also worked as a judicial assistant for Circuit Judge Henry C. Tillman, Circuit Judge Roger Flynn, and Circuit Judge John Germany, and was honored by the Hillsborough County Bar Association with a plaque for distinguished service.

Mrs. Contos was preceded in death by her parents Onofrio and Gasparina Centinaro, her sister Jennie Centinaro, her beloved son Nelson “Gna Gna” DiSalvo, Jr., her sister Mary Cascio, her devoted husband, Stephen J. Contos, and her nieces, Dora Roberts and Elena Kontzamanys. Survivors include her daughter Diane Elaine Gentry, Jim Gentry; her granddaughter and husband, Danielle Suzanne and Rodney David Holp; her precious great-grandchildren Isabella Marie Holp and Matthew David Holp; nephews John Cascio Jr., Joseph Cascio, and Robert Cascio; her nieces Fran Jones, Cindy Menendez, and her aunt Helen Kontzamanys.

Her family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to family and friends, especially Cheryl Gagnon and Ellen Nast for their many acts of kindness. Her family also offers their gratitude and appreciation for the many years of excellent care and compassion extended to Mrs. Contos by Dr. Richard D. Cohen and, after Dr. Cohen’s retirement, by Dr. Norman J. Castellano and Dr. Luis Melendez.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Contos’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at P.O. Box 100, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607.

A visitation will take place, Saturday, February 26, 2022, Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL 33609, from 11am - 12pm, with a funeral service at 12pm. She will be laid to rest at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4228 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, FL 33610, following the funeral at 2pm.