Ybor City businessman dished out fish and politics
BUSTER AGLIANO: 1935-2004. Staying true to his roots brought friends and local fame to the seafood market owner, who died Sunday.
By DENISE WATSON BATTS
Published April 12, 2004
TAMPA - For years, Ybor City residents ventured to Buster Agliano's for the freshest seafood and political hopefuls stopped by for advice before their campaigns. Rarely would anyone leave disappointed.
Friends of the businessman say Ybor City lost its greatest champion when Mr. Agliano, 69, died Sunday (April 11, 2004) morning in his sleep.
He'd been battling cancer since 2002.
Mr. Agliano owned S. Agliano & Sons Fish Co. at 1821 E Seventh Ave., a business his grandfather established in 1915. It was the last seafood market and one of the few family-owned shops left in Ybor City as the area gave way to bars, restaurants and tattoo parlors.
But clinging to the roots is how Mr. Agliano built his name. Mr. Agliano could have sold the business for a sizable profit, but he was committed to the idea of a family business, honoring a loyal client base, and Ybor City.
Two of his daughters helped run the store and one, Stephanie, is now board chairwoman of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. When she received the honor, Mr. Agliano beamed.
"Oh, he was so very proud of her," said Annette DeLisle, president of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce.
DeLisle said family and his community were paramount to Mr. Agliano. When he crossed the street for Cuban coffee at La Tropicana, people mobbed him. He spoke with his many friends in English, Spanish or Italian.
"There was no good or bad times for Buster," DeLisle said. "His reputation was such that, people would buy fish from him no matter the economic times. He was very well-regarded in the industry."
The Agliano business began about the turn of the 20th century with his grandfather, Sebastian Agliano, catching fish and selling them door to door. Eventually, he opened the store.
When people didn't have the money, Sebastian Agliano extended credit. When his grandson, also named Sebastian, took over the business, he kept the tradition of helping others.
And Buster Agliano held on to another family custom: dishing politics.
While the wholesale business flowed out the market's back door, the storefront saw brisk traffic, particularly Saturday mornings. Passers-by could see judges, City Council members, even members of Congress seeking the wisdom of Mr. Agliano, who studied politics and dispensed commentary readily.
Agliano's was a mandatory stop for anyone trying to get into the political realm, said Hillsborough County Commissioner Jan Platt.
"He was always a key person to see," Platt said. "To have his support was to have the support of a lot of other people. He was well respected, people had confidence in his recommendation . . . plus, he had great seafood."
The past two years had been difficult for Mr. Agliano, as he and his family dealt with cancer. Mr. Agliano's robust frame lost about 100 pounds and he wasn't the constant at the market as he once was. Friends say they will remember his jokes, smile, and talk of family and community.
On his birthday, Mr. Agliano would tell people he had everything he needed and to buy gifts for his grandchildren instead, said friend Clay Phillips.
"I think of just how much he loved his family," said Phillips, former district director for U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa. Phillips met Mr. Agliano about 10 years ago.
"He didn't talk about how big his house was, or his bank account. He had such a big heart.
"He was such a big guy, but his heart was bigger."
Phillips said a wake is planned for Tuesday and a funeral on Wednesday. Details were not available Sunday.
- Information from Times files was used in this report.
