Pizzo, Anthony P., “Tony” (1912 – 1994)

The son of Paul and Rosalia (Pizzolato) Pizzo, Antony P. “Tony” Pizzo was born on September 22, 1912 in Ybor City, Tampa’s immigrant cigar making community.  While growing up, Tony absorbed the multiethnic cultural ambience of Ybor City and its primarily Cuban, Spanish, and Italian population.  A graduate of Hillsborough High School, he attended the University of Florida for two years, then transferred to Stetson University to study law.  After two years, he left Stetson to embark on a business career.  Following service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Pizzo started his own company, International Brands, a wine and beer distributorship. He subsequently accepted a position with Tampa Wholesale Liquors, which later became Midulla Importing Company and House of Midulla, Inc.  From 1950 to his retirement in 1984 Tony Pizzo was the company’s vice president in charge of sales, also serving as president of Midulla affiliates Rey del Mundo Cigar Company (1965-1971) and Fruit Wines of Florida (1972-1984).   

Pizzo was active in local business, civic, educational, and cultural organizations, including the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, Barrio Latino Commission, University of Tampa Foundation, University of South Florida President’s Council, Ybor City Redevelopment Committee, Tampa Philharmonic Association, and Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame.  He was the founder and first president of the Tampa International Trade Council, first president of the Ybor City Junior Chamber of Commerce, first president of the Rotary Club of Ybor City, and the first honorary mayor (alcalde) of Ybor City.  In 1952, the Cuban government awarded Tony Pizzo the Order of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, and in 1976 the government of Italy invested him as a Knight Officer of the Order of Merit.  A 1993 Tampa Tribune article commented that no other Tampan had been awarded so many honors for contributions and service to his community.

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