SPRING HILL, FL – “Keep the sound alive.”
That’s what Tommy Mara always said about his music.
“He was larger than life. His art was his world. We shared him with his music his entire life,” his son, Fabian Marasciullo, said.
Fabian and his sister Jennifer Cavaliere spoke to Spectrum Bay News 9 to share memories about their father, Tommy Mara.
He passed away earlier this month from a heart attack at the age of 65.
Like his many fans, his family misses him – and his voice.
“We’re doing our best,” Fabian said. “Dad was such a huge influence on our lives and so many people’s. The outpouring from his fans has been really helpful.”
Hundreds of fans left their condolences on Mara’s Facebook page.
A popular Florida singer, Tommy Mara, passed away earlier this month. Tommy was part of a group called The Crests, which performed doo-wop music all over, including @RuthEckerdHall 20 times. His family shared with me some of his music, as his many fans remember his sound. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/E7yFDOt4Ei
— Tim Wronka (@TimWronka) January 22, 2021
Thomas Marasciullo, better known as Tommy Mara, was the lead singer of a group called The Crests.
Together, they performed doo-wop music at venues around Florida and the rest of the country. They even performed 20 times at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.
“I will never forget the first time he performed there,” Jennifer said.
“You couldn’t even talk to him that day! He was so excited,” Fabian said. “My dad was a real excited person. Very loud and talkative. Very typical of a Brooklyn, New York guy.”
Mara and his wife of 43 years, Victoria, moved with their two children from New York to Spring Hill in 1986. While his music was important, his children say his real hobby was his family.
“He was completely obsessed with me and my sister. My sister’s children. Grandkids. If you look at his phone, hundreds of calls every week to everybody in the family,” Fabian said.
“We couldn’t be prouder to be his children,” Jennifer said.
Though he’s gone, his sound will live on.
“Music is healing. Music is everything in life,” Fabian said. “It was to him. And it is to us. Keep the sound alive. That was always his thing. Keep the sound alive,”
The Crests are planning a tribute show but are waiting until it’s safe for crowds to see it in person.
For more information on Mara, visit his Facebook page.