Popular Activist Focused On Ybor

TAMPA - Victor DiMaio Sr., a staple in Ybor City politics and civic groups, died Saturday. He was 83.

DiMaio, who was born in Ybor City, will be remembered most for his activism in his community, lending his expertise and energy to everything from economic development to civic causes to historic preservation.

He was a member of the Krewe of the Knights of Sant'Yago and Ybor City Chamber of Commerce. More recently, he was involved in the Lions Club. He served on the mayor's Spanish-American War centennial committee and the Hillsborough County Preservation Board.

He received the prestigious Tony Pizzo Award from the Ybor City Museum Society for his work in preserving Ybor's history.

"He was Mr. Volunteer, in my opinion," said Angelo Spicola, president of the Ybor City Round Table. "He was always there to help, he would never say no."

DiMaio also was involved in an Ybor City group that annually traveled to Tallahassee for Ybor City Day. The group would take black bean soup, cafe con leche and other treats to the state Capitol.

"He was always doing something for somebody," said his wife, Mercy DiMaio.

DiMaio also dabbled in politics, running for Tampa City Council in the 1960s, his son Vic DiMaio said. Vic DiMaio remembers going with his father to fish fries and chicken dinners, asking people to vote for his dad.

He lost the race but continued helping mayoral candidates run for office. He also was involved in Rubin Askew's gubernatorial campaign, the younger DiMaio said.

Vic DiMaio is a Democratic political consultant, influenced by his parents.

Former state Rep. Bob Henriquez, who will be a pallbearer at DiMaio's funeral, said he knew DiMaio for decades.

"Just a great man," Henriquez said. "A good ally to have on my side when I was running for office.

"He had an amazing energy, right to the end. He could never find enough to do."

Former Mayor Dick Greco knew DiMaio had been ill for years.

"He's in a better place right now," Greco said. "It's been a long time since he'd been himself. He was a lively person, always a smile on his face. I don't think I went anywhere where Victor wasn't there."

DiMaio graduated from Jesuit High School. He attended the University of Florida, where he met Mercy at a Spanish Club meeting. Mercy attended Florida State but visited the Gainesville school.

"I just ignored him," Mercy DiMaio said. "He was just flirting."

But as she got to know him better, she found him to be a "very fine person, very religious." They married two weeks after she graduated. She was 19. He was 26. They were married for 56 years.

Victor DiMaio worked a series of jobs, including one at The Tampa Tribune in advertising, before devoting more than 20 years to MetLife Insurance.

Funeral arrangements are pending. In addition to his wife, Mercy, and son, Vic, he is survived by son Michael.