Douglas Paul Lalino

Douglas Paul Lalino

December 19, 1969 – December 23, 2025
A Life Rooted in Faith and Family

Douglas Paul Lalino, 56, of St. Petersburg, Florida, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on December 23, 2025, just days after celebrating his birthday. Though his time with us was far too short, Doug lived a life filled with love, faith, music, laughter, and friendship. His passing has left an emptiness that can never be replaced, but his spirit and the impact he made on everyone who knew him will live on forever.
Doug is reunited in Heaven with his beloved parents, Andrew Steven Lalino and Dolores Antoinette Lalino. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 27 years, Michelle Lalino; his precious daughter, Ciara Lalino — the light of his life and forever known as their “Angel Face”; his brother, Andrew C. Lalino and family; along with countless extended family members, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who loved him deeply.

Early Years – A Boy Who Never Met a Stranger

Doug was born in the Bronx, New York, on December 19, 1969. In 1971, his parents moved Doug and his older brother to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he would grow up and build the life so many came to know and love. From a very young age, Doug never knew a stranger. His precious mother often shared beautiful stories of his childhood — how he would strike up conversations with anyone and everyone, and how he would even invite people he had just met
to his birthday parties. That open-hearted spirit never left him. Doug was always the life of the party — warm, welcoming, full of joy, and naturally gifted at making people feel seen, valued, and included.
He attended Holy Family Catholic Church and Holy Family Catholic School, later
continuing his education at Northeast High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He loved sports and excelled in football, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, and softball. But even as athletics filled his youth, music was always at the center of his heart.

Raised in Music

Doug’s love for music and performing was deeply rooted in his childhood. His father, Andrew Lalino, was a sought-after New York famed Italian American world-class entertainer and talented multi-instrumentalist, music instructor who raised Doug surrounded by music. After moving to Florida, Andrew spent the majority of his career as the Entertainment Director at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Doug grew up immersed in that world, often running freely through the park with friends and family, proudly carrying what felt like his own backstage pass through his father’s work. Those early experiences taught Doug the magic of performance, the discipline required behind the scenes, and the joy of bringing people together through entertainment. Encouraged and supported by both his mother and father, Doug learned early to give life — and his dreams — every bit of attention needed to turn them into reality. He was taught to live by example. That foundation shaped his natural entrepreneurial spirit, confidence, and strong work
ethic. In his youth, Doug developed a love for theater, performing in productions such as Fiddler on the Roof and Li’l Abner. In high school, he sang in chorus and performed in the special show choir, Gondoliers. He later joined the St. Petersburg Junior College Madrigal vocal ensemble and performed with a band called YMI alongside his high school friends.

A Natural Leader

In 1989, Doug partnered with his best friend, David Welch, to found Doug & Dave Telephone, operating from 1989 to 1994. The business was built on trust, loyalty, and hard work, and it helped shape Doug into a natural leader and people-focused professional. He carried those qualities into future roles as a sales team leader and manager throughout his business career.

The Loves of His Life

In 1990, during a karaoke night, Doug was introduced to the love of his life, Michelle, by her brother, Gary Bridges. From that moment on, they were inseparable. Doug and Michelle shared a deep love of music and often sang together at weddings, family gatherings, and nights out with friends. They married in June of 1998, and two years later welcomed their beautiful daughter, Ciara — the light of his life and the center of his world. Doug was an incredible leader
and provider who lived by example and was never afraid of hard work. As a new father, he worked multiple jobs so Michelle could stay home to raise Ciara — a sacrifice he made with pride and love. His family always came first. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Doug remained active with pastimes that included sports and outdoor life, playing softball on numerous teams around St. Petersburg. He loved riding motorcycles, four-wheelers, wave runners, and spending weekends with family and friends at the dirt bike park or the beach —
always laughing and always making memories.

The Performer/Producer/Collaborator

After years of honing his craft, Doug began singing professionally in 2003, performing at weddings, private events, and large public venues throughout the region. He served as lead vocalist with Rafael & Co., later forming
Sounds of Yesterday, and eventually becoming the longtime lead vocalist of the rock band The Legendary Impacs. In 2009, he was honored to sing the National Anthem at a UFC event in Tampa — a moment he cherished deeply. Doug’s
passion extended far beyond the stage. He loved the recording studio, television production, and the energy of the Vegas spotlight. Over the years, he recorded demos and studio tracks, contributed creatively to television shoots, and collaborated in developing live entertainment concepts for casinos and national broadcast productions. Doug wasn’t just a performer — he was a creative force who understood both the magic on stage and the work behind the curtain.
Through decades in music and entertainment, he formed lasting friendships with respected celebrities, artists, and performers he had once admired from afar. He treasured those relationships and the rare privilege of turning inspiration into camaraderie. Doug moved comfortably between studio booths, production sets, and bright stage lights, earning respect not only as a performer but as a trusted collaborator in the entertainment world.

The Gentle Bear

Doug’s true passions in life were God, his family, and performing. He never knew a stranger — when you met Doug, it felt like you had known him your entire life. His smile lit up every room, and his sense of humor was second to none. If you knew Doug, you knew you had to zing him before he made you the punchline. Any moment he caught you off guard was usually on his phone camera and part of his (Remember that time I got you so bad) repertoire of embarrassing moments he loved to brag about that made him the king of jolly gentle giant pranksters that he
was. Whether in business, music, or life, Doug was the person everyone called for an honest opinion, a steady gut check, or help fixing just about anything — computers, problems, situations, or spirits. He was loyal, genuine, endlessly generous, and dependable. Doug was the rock you leaned on — the firm and steady foundation for his family and friends — always willing to drop everything to help someone in need.

A Legacy That Lives On

If you were lucky enough to call Doug your friend, you were truly blessed. He will be missed every moment of every day. The world lost an important part of its light and is a dimmer place without him, but his love, laughter, music, and spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Until God’s light shows us your precious face again in Heaven, we will forever be in awe of who you were, the life you lived, the examples you set, and what you stood for. We will hold onto and embrace the legacy of love, joy, and laughter you left behind. We love you, Doug. You will continue to live through us all. Forever.

Additional Unique Family Heritage Information

Doug carried a proud and resilient Italian heritage that traces back to his great-great-grandfather, Carlo Giovanni Lalena, who was born in Italy in 1851 and immigrated to America, arriving in New York on May 13, 1890, aboard the ship Letimbro, as documented in the “Italians to America” records. Through the years, due to some family disagreements between Doug’s great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather, the family surname was changed from Lalena to
Lalino — a name the Lalino family now carries with pride. That spirit of courage, independence, and strength that brought his family across the ocean became part of the foundation Doug stood on throughout his life.

Celebration of Life
In addition to private family services, Doug’s life will be celebrated with family, friends, and all of those that were guests and patrons that supported his live performances on:
Saturday, April 4, 2026
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Elks Lodge – Entertainment will be provided by “Sounds Of Yesterday”
2675 66th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
In lieu of flowers, the family is deeply grateful for any support through monetary
donations to assist Michelle and Ciara during this difficult transition. Donations may be made in person or through Doug’s GoFundMe page:
https://gofund.me/768ec334d