STAGI, Joseph V., 79, of Tampa passed away on Wednesday, October 27, after courageously battling a long illness. He is survived by his dearest friend and most beloved wife of 29 years, Mary Jane, and many loving family members, a daughter Gloria and husband Pat Coyle, grandson Joe Coyle, daughter Rosie Stagi, son Joe Stagi Jr. and wife Marcy and granddaughter Kelly-Anne Stagi, mother-in-law Hazel Clark, brother William Stagi and wife Gerry of Seattle, Washington and many wonderful nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Joseph was born on December 9, 1930 in Monessen, Pennsylvania, where he started his professional career both as a piano player and drummer at the age of 14, which became a passion that lasted his lifetime. He was very proud of being a member of the 71st Army Band in the Panama Canal Zone during the early 1950’s. The army band members reunited in Tampa in 1998 and remained in constant communication. After his military service, he moved he moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where he enjoyed great success in insurance sales and retail management. While there, he enjoyed being the featured pianist with the acclaimed “Morgan Baer Orchestras.” In 1964, he was transferred to Tampa to help open the first Montgomery Ward department store in the Tampa Bay market. Since music was his passion, he immediately began playing with the “Jack Golly Orchestra.” In 1965 he began entertaining dinner guests at the Tampa Yacht Club, whose members and staff he called his second family. In 1969, he would say his “day job” allowed him to be one of the founders of Florida Credit Service Center. In 1981 Joseph decided to leave the corporate world and dedicate the rest of his life to his musical career as the Joe Stagi Band and Tempo Music Company. He was the musical director of the Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for many years. Over the past several years Joseph enjoyed his other passion, the French horn, performing with the Fanfare Winds, The Tampa Community Band and the Chamberlain Adult Band. The accomplishments of his musical life are too many to mention: however, he is best remembered here in Tampa as “Mr. Piano Man”. He was a band leader, conductor, songwriter, poet and director of numerous musical productions. Local highlights include work for the New York Yankees, the Tampa Junior League Shows, the Tampa Yacht Club Christmas Shows, the American Sing Shows at the Florida State Fairgrounds, and the annual Celebrate Sinatra Event. A personal favorite for him was his 1984 nonstop 24 hour piano marathon. He played the piano continuously on a flatbed truck traveling all over the county while never repeating a song. Joseph proudly served on the boards of the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board and the Exchange Club of Tampa. In addition he was a truly giving and generous person who enjoyed his volunteer work with the Stephen Ministry and in more recent years as a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he volunteered to visit those in need. Joseph’s greatest joy was giving joy to others. All of us will remember his true kindness, sincerity, and that infectious smile. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 2 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. November 3 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 906 S. Orleans, Tampa. Interment will be on Sat. Nov. 6 at Belle Vernon Cemetery, Belle Vernon, PA. Those who so desire may make memorial contributions to Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa. Blount & Curry Funeral Home 605 S. MAcDIll Avenue Tampa, FL. 33609 (813) 876-2421
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