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Obituary

Mother of ex-mayor lived American dream

The daughter of immigrant cigar rollers ran a successful business with her husband.

By AMY SCHERZER
Published February 23, 2005

TAMPA - Evelyn Greco, daughter of Italian and Spanish immigrant cigar rollers, lived to see the fulfillment of the American dream, and then some.

She and her husband ran a successful business for nearly half a century.

And their son, Dick A. Greco Sr., became mayor of Tampa.

Mrs. Greco, 98, died Monday evening at Memorial Hospital of respiratory failure, leaving a legacy of family and hard work.

"Work gave her purpose," Greco said.

It had been that way since the days of the family's King-Greco Hardware Store in Ybor City, where Mrs. Greco worked for years alongside her husband, Dominico "Dick" Greco.

Dana Greco-Tilton has heard her grandparents' love story countless times. Evelyn Cotarelo was just 12 when she met her future husband, then 18. He gave her a ruby solitaire promise ring when she turned 16.

"They eloped as soon as she graduated Hillsborough High School," Greco-Tilton said. "The first time they were ever alone was the day they married."

From that day on, they were rarely apart.

"They worked together from daylight till dark," said Greco.

Their work ethic, generosity and family values left an indelible imprint on their son.

"I watched her wait on customers, keep the books, extend credit. Everybody helped each other," said Greco. "It was one big family."

On Sundays, she gathered her own family for pasta and the "world's greatest meatballs," Greco-Tilton said.

"Grammie worked all week long, but every Friday night, she picked us up and took us to Goody Goody's for dinner," she said.

Mrs. Greco continued to operate the hardware store for a year or so after her husband's death in January 1970. Her son persuaded her to sell it when she was 67.

But Mrs. Greco had few hobbies beyond cooking, sewing and the care of her family.

"She didn't play cards or go out to lunch," Greco said.

The thought of retirement made her miserable. It lasted just two days before First Florida Bank hired her as bookkeeper in the Ybor City branch.

She retired again at age 83, again with regrets.

"She balanced all our checkbooks until she was 93," said granddaughter Darcy Snelling. "Not because we couldn't. She just enjoyed it. "And God forbid you didn't have a receipt," Snelling said.

In addition to her son and two granddaughters, Mrs. Greco is survived by grandson Dick Greco Jr.; four great-grandchildren: Ryan Feldman, Nick Tilton, Chelsea Tilton and Garrett Greco; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Blount & Curry Funeral Home's MacDill Avenue Chapel, with service and private interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mayor's Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, 4950 W Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33609.

Amy Scherzer can be reached at 813 226-3332 or scherzer@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 23, 2005, 00:34:19]