Julio Giovinco's Obituary
GIOVINCO, Julio, 87, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2023, at the St. Joseph Hospital North. He was born in Tampa, FL as the son of Giulietta Leto and Joseph Giovinco and lived here all his life. He was a proud graduate of the Class of 1953 at Thomas Jefferson High School in Tampa. He served in the US Naval Reserve from 1954 to 1962. He married in 1956 to Susan L. Moscuzza and they built their home in the West Tampa neighborhood of Tampa.
Julio’s first job was at the George Guida Company where he met his wife, Sue. He then started working for National Shirt Shops starting as a stock boy after school in the Downtown store. He then transferred to the North Gate National Shirt Shops as an Assistant Manager and then transferred once more to the Britton Plaza National Shirt Shops as their Manager. Julio then branched out with Tony Longo as a Southeast Regionals Sales Representative for American Aluminum and then worked with Stan Ashe at Ashe Aluminum. He then decided to start his own company, World Cup Aluminum, until he retired.
Julio was a competitive bowler in the Tampa Bowling Association and won several tournaments. His highest accomplishment was winning the Singles Scratch and Handicap events of the Tampa City Tournament in 1963. He was inducted into the Greater Tampa Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1981 for his Superior Performance. But his proudest moment in bowling was watching his daughter Lucy win the Bowling World Cup in Tehran, Iran in 1976.
Julio and Sue were very proud of both their children, Lucy, and Michael, as they were both athletes in various sports in the Tampa area. Julio loved the sport of bowling so much that he also served as a Youth Coach at Regal Lanes, currently Pin Chasers Midtown, for over 10 years.
He was also an honored member of the West Tampa Optimist Club as he started out when he was 21 years old and has remained a member until the day he died. He served in the following capacities in the local Optimist community: Member, Secretary/Treasurer, then President. He also served in the following capacity for Optimist International: Lieutenant Governor of all the Tampa area clubs, Governor of State of Florida and Caribbean Islands and then International Vice-President serving North Florida, South Florida, Caribbean Islands, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Other roles were serving on the International Board of Directors in St. Louis, Missouri which led to be the Tournament Director of the International Youth Bowling championships held at the Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis.
During his tenure with the Optimist Clubs, he earned the honor as the Outstanding Citizen of West Tampa in 1975 and inducted into the State of Florida Optimist Hall of Fame in 1985 held in Miami. Julio was also proudly inducted into the Thomas Jefferson High School Hall of Fame in 2004 as well as the City of Tampa Boys and Girls Clubs Hall of Fame. One of Julio’s highlights at the West Tampa Boys Clubs was serving as the “Voice” of the Spartans during the Youth Football seasons back in the early 70’s.
In addition to serving on the Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Association, Julio was also involved in the Sons of Italy, on the Board of the Tampa Bowling Association and President of the Britton Plaza Merchants Association.
Julio was preceded in death by his wife, Sue, in 2012 and is survived by his two children, Lucy Sandelin and Michael Giovinco (Kelly) both of Tampa: as well as two granddaughters, Rochelle Prado (Luciano) and Gabriele Giovinco and 2 great grand-children, Luca and Camilla.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends, Memorial Service will be from 9 am to 11 am on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Boza and Roel Funeral Home located at 4730 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa, FL. Burial to follow at 12 noon at Marti/Colon Cemetery located at 3110 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, FL.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa or West Tampa Little League.
Pallbearers include Michael Giovinco, Frank Fernandez, Richard Massaro, Tony Saladino, K.R. Lombardia, Ricky Gallon, Tony Alessi, Luciano Prado and Robby Martin
Honorary Pallbearers include Stan Ashe, Mike Clementi, Glenn Permuy and Al Greco.
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