Craig Ronald D'Amico

Craig was born on January 8, 1962, in Englewood, New Jersey, to Ronald S. D’Amico and Lucille A. (Vogler) D’Amico, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Northvale, New Jersey, before moving with his family to Dunedin, Florida, in 1973. He graduated from Dunedin High School in 1980 and from the University of South Florida School of Music in 1987 as a voice major.

While attending USF, Craig worked at the WUSF Radio Reading Service, where he met Maria Elena (Falcone) in 1986. They married on September 30, 1989, and shared nearly 37 years of marriage.

Craig spent many years in the restaurant business, first as head chef at Ristorante Francesco, later opening Flamingo Road Cafe, consulting with other restaurants, and finally as head chef at Cafe Don Jose in Temple Terrace. In 2003, he earned his general contractor’s license and joined his brother Ron in opening C&R Remodeling, where the two worked together for more than two decades.

Craig loved cooking, entertaining and, most of all, being surrounded by family and friends. Holidays at Craig and Maria Elena’s home meant homemade food in quantities large enough to feed an army and a house full of people. Family to Craig extended well beyond blood. Being invited for Christmas meant you were invited forever and part of his life. He also maintained lifelong friendships, including a close group of friends from his Dunedin High School days who remained important to him to the very end

Craig is survived by his wife, Maria Elena; his brother, Ronald S. D’Amico Jr. and his wife, Carla Esposito; his sister-in-law, Adrienne (Falcone) Godsell and her husband, Jeff Godsell; nieces Alexis Lederman and her husband, Jason, and Kristina D’Amico; nephews Maximillian Godsell and Quentin Godsell; and many beloved cousins, extended family members and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Blount & Curry FH-Carrollwood, 3207 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33618, US, on September 30, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.