Thomas G. Munafo

Munafo, Thomas G. ?Tommy, the Music Man?, 87, of St. Petersburg, died Monday December 8, 2003 at Lexington Health and Rehabilitation after a short illness. Born in Brooklyn, New York, of musical parents who taught him to play all instruments at an early age, he moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1932. Being a musician, he returned to New York, where he traveled with some big bands until World War II and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was placed in the Army Band. After his discharge, he returned to Lakeland and entered Florida Southern College, where he graduated with a degree in Music Education. He began his teaching career as the band director at Kathleen High School. He later received his Master?s Degree from the University of Mississippi Ole? Miss. In 1958 he became the band director at Lakeland Senior High School. He moved to St. Petersburg in 1962 and became the instrumental music teacher for the Pinellas County School System teaching at ten different elementary schools until his retirement in 1979. He was a member of Pasadena Presbyterian Church, the Florida Bandmasters Association, the American Federation of Musicians, Tampa Bay Local 427-721, the American Legion and the Tides Golf Club. Survivors include 2 sons, Don C. Munafo of St. Petersburg and Michael E. Munafo of Greenville, South Carolina, 6 grandchildren, Heather Weidner and Melissa Munafo, both of St. Petersburg, Gina Munafo of San Diego, California, Lindsay Hoover-Dempsey of Nashville, Tennessee, Cary Munafo and Peyton Munafo, both of Greenville, South Carolina, and 2 great grandchildren, Kira Weidner and Sean Weidner, both of St. Petersburg. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 ? 7:00 p.m. at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes-Ninth Street Chapel, 2201 Dr. M.L. King Street North, St. Petersburg. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 100 Pasadena Avenue North, St. Petersburg.