Joseph Elias Mercado

Joseph Elias Mercado Sr., 69, born on September 25, 1952 in Bronx, New York, succumbed to a two-year battle with cancer in the comfort of his home in Tampa, Florida, surrounded by family on February 28, 2022.

Joe was an intelligent, witty, loving, and warm father and husband. He found humor in every situation and was always self-deprecating. He was an amazing, self-taught musician who played the guitar and bass. Joe enjoyed playing the guitar and bass in church bands and worship teams. He loved the guitar, salsa music, drawing, painting, arts and crafts, crossword puzzles, the Military Channel, the Tampa Bay Bucs, Florida Gators football, baseball, and watching “his shows” on TV. Most of all, Joe adored his family, especially his grandchildren. Joe worked for many years at St. Joseph’s Hospital Communications Center and then for Hillsborough County Emergency Management as a 911 operator. He was also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Joe is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jania Mercado; four children, JoAnn Mercado, Joe Mercado Jr., (m. Billie Jo Johnson-Mercado), Jackie Santana (m. Luis M Santana), Chris Mercado; grandchildren, Amanda Colcleasure, Jhane Mercado, Giovanny Santana, and expecting grandson, Elijah Joseph Mercado due July 3, 2022; brothers, Mario Mercado, Luis Mercado; sisters, Lucy Mercado, Norma Perez, Myrna Mercado Laborda, Milagros Enriquez; along with countless beloved nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Clementina Mercado; father, Luis Mercado; brother, Tony Mercado; sisters, Rosa Mercado and Aline Ramos.

A Funeral Service for Joe will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday one hour prior to the Service at the Funeral Home.