Octavio “Gus” Yanes, 81, of Tampa was reunited with his wife of 36 years, Diana Yanes, on February 11, 2019. He was born February 25, 1937 and grew up in Ybor City. Tampa knew him affectionately as “Gus”. He worked as a tailor’s assistant as a young man. Gus then began learning the trade of stucco, brick and plastering as an apprentice. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1955-1963.
Gus became owner of Yanes Plastering Company where his craftsmanship can be seen today throughout Tampa and across Florida. Some of his works include private homes in many neighborhoods including Tampa Palms, Avila, and South Tampa. He contracted with builders such as Pulte Homes, Arthur Rutenburg Homes, Lennar Homes and even worked on Steve Spurrier’s private residence. Commercial landmarks demonstrating his art include plastering the minuets of the University of Tampa, the perimeter wall around St. Lawrence Catholic Church, and numerous franchises from Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Checkers, Pollo Tropical, Midas Muffler, and GTE/Verizon substations throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Gus loved to critique the works of brick masons and stucco texture, often claiming his work was “the best!” He truly had a professional reputation of quality and integrity.
In addition to his commitment to professional excellence, Gus was a family man who loved to build and launch rockets at Redsland, teach his children about moon landings and space shuttles, play dominoes, coach softball, attend dance recitals, support marching band events, allow his son to have a full piece drum set and jam to heavy metal in their small West Tampa home. His house was filled with an array of music genres from country western to Cuban salsa. Gus loved to play along with his maracas and bongos while his family danced along. On Sundays, he would cook his favorite baked spaghetti, homemade meatballs or Cuban fried rice (arroz frito).
Octavio “Gus” was preceded in death by his parents, Marcelino and Caridad Yanes; siblings, Martha Diaz, Ines Vigil, Rose Hevia and Marcelino “Max” Yanes. He is survived by his children, Mellissa Yanes Teston, Derek Yanes; sister, Yolanda Castellana Menendez; grandchildren, Tony Alonso, Brianna Alonso, Miranda Alonso; son-in-law, Joe M. Teston; nieces, Nanette Gutierrez, Michelle Moore, Desiree Berrios, Cassandra Portugal; nephews, Camilo Castellana, Marc Castellana, Henry Castellana, Joe Menendez, Frank Granda, Jr.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 W. Brandon Blvd, Brandon, Catholic rite ceremony by Deacon Greg Lambert, St Lawrence Catholic Church. Interment to follow in Hillsboro Memorial Gardens with Navy honors. Pall Bearers include, Tony Alonso, Henry Castellana, Marc Castellana, Nico Esformes, Joe Teston, Gene Teston, Derek Yanes.
Please share words of comfort of your favorite memory of Octavio “Gus” Yanes on this page. If you wish to make a donation in his honor, please consider donating to Season’s Hospice and Palliative Care.
