Ralph Lazarra dies

Southeast Seminole Heights lost one of its long time residents, Ralph Lazzara on February 1.

"By just a couple of years later, he opened his own grocery store, Lazzara's Courtesy Market, on Nebraska Avenue, a few blocks south of Hillsborough Avenue. The store became a neighborhood institution and remained open until Mr. Lazzara retired in 1981.e of its long standing residents, Ralph Lazarra on February 1.

"Mr. Lazzara passed away Feb. 1 at age 90. His health had been declining recently, but he was still active until just days before his death. He spent his entire life in Tampa. In fact, in his 90 years, he never lived farther south than 11th Avenue or farther north than Hillsborough."
. . .
"Fruits and vegetables weren't just his livelihood, they became his calling card. When he'd visit his children and grandchildren, he'd always bring boxes of apples, grapes or guava pastries. At the retirement home, he became known as "Nano" or "The Banana Man," because he delighted in giving out bananas to everyone he knew there.
. . .
"He had an enormous back yard at his house, full of fruit trees and flowers," Griffin said. "I have memories of him coming in from the yard, and it was obvious he loved being outdoors, working with his hands. The fruits and flowers he gave showed his generosity, that he wanted to keep providing for us."
. . .
"Besides his grandson, Mr. Lazzara is survived by sons Ralph Lazzara III and Philip R. Lazzara, daughters Marie A. Sanchez and Marlene L. Sacarello, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren."

We were fortunate to have him speak at one of our SE Seminole Heights Home tours.

Our condolences.