Ralph Lazzara III

LAZZARA, III, Ralph, age 78. Ralph passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. He was born on September 12, 1939 in Tampa, Florida to Ralph Lazzara, Jr., and Mary Tripolino Lazzara, who preceded him in death.

Ralph attended OLPH, Memorial Junior High, and Hillsborough High School. While at Hillsborough, he was president of both the Senior Class and the National Honor Society. Ralph also received the American Legion Award and was designated an All-State baseball player. He started his college education at the University of Florida and later graduated from the University of Tampa with a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in Public Administration from Golden Gate University.

Ralph began his career as a high school teacher followed by a stint as a CIA intelligence analyst. He then worked for two Tampa mayors, assisting Dick Greco as a scholarship coordinator and helping Bob Martinez in the Ybor City development program. He retired as an employee of the Hillsborough County Courthouse.

Of Ralph’s many passions, few rivaled baseball and writing. He lettered in both baseball and basketball at Hillsborough and played baseball as a freshman walk-on at UF. Ralph was also a proud member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. A custom baseball caricature drawn by Lamar Sparkman will be displayed at the Ybor City Museum to recognize his contributions to local sports.

In retirement, Ralph contributed numerous articles to La Gaceta, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Terrier Talks alumni newsletter, among other publications. He could be found most mornings in conversation at Pipo’s and other local restaurants. He cherished spending time with his two daughters and five grandchildren. Ralph was a member of the Sons of Italy Lodge, the Italian Club of Tampa, and the Tampa Sports Authority. He avidly attended local baseball games, danced with the Tampa Bay Beach Boppers, and preferred traditional pen and paper to computers. Ralph’s prodigious writing included more than one letter per day to family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Janice Pittman Lazzara; daughter Lacy Lazzara Hernandez (Julio) and grandchildren James, Riley, Virginia, and Lily; daughter Lana Lazzara Maldonado (Martin) and granddaughter Isabella; siblings Philip R. Lazzara (Gwen); Marie Lazzara Sanchez (Ray); Marlene Lazzara Sacarello (Jim); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ralph will be remembered as a bright, shining light who lived life to the fullest, whether attending church, sitting in the stands, or conversing at a local coffee shop. His family is grateful to the doctors and staff at Tampa Community Hospital, and they extend special thanks to his caregiver of the last three years, Shanel Phillips.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 5225 N. Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614 at 11:30 AM. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to La Nuova Sicilia Unita Lodge #1251, 3315 W. Lemon Street, Tampa, FL 33609.