Nelson Castellano

1938 - 2022

CASTELLANO, Dr. Nelson Paul 84, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2022, surrounded by family, in Tampa, FL. He was born on July 23, 1938, in Ybor City, Tampa, FL. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Josephine Pizzo Castellano. Nelson's parents were Italian descendants that taught the value of hard work as they continued to run their Italian imported food store, Castellano and Pizzo, which opened in 1892 in Ybor City, FL. Nelson attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy, graduating in 1957. Nelson's first love was unquestionably his family and his friends. He is survived by his daughter, Nicole Castellano Ekendahl; his son, Dr. Joseph John Castellano; three grandchildren, Lia, Ashtyn, and Trevor Ekendahl; his brother, Paul Castellano, Sr. and wife, Jackie Castellano; his sister, Eileen Castellano Arnold, and her husband, the Honorable James Arnold; nieces and nephews, Suzanne Roberts, Christine Kuzmick, Paul Castellano Jr., Jimmy, and Christopher Arnold. He also leaves behind countless cousins and friends that speak about his unbelievable zest for life, love for traveling the world, and how he lived without regret. Nelson attended Tulane University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He then attended Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery and went on to complete three years of residency at Louisiana State University in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In September of 1971, he joined Dr. Linebaugh in private practice, eventually taking over the practice after 18 months. During his medical career, he performed countless temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgeries, wisdom teeth extractions, and reconstruction of the jaw due to acute trauma. He was affiliated with numerous hospitals in the Tampa Bay area, including St. Joseph's Hospital, where he was chief of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. In 1977, he started a concert promotion business, and promoted thousands of concerts for artists such as Frank Sinatra (his favorite), Neil Diamond, the Jacksons, Madonna, Sammy Davis, Jr., Liza Minnelli, The Eagles, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Cher, Jimmy Buffett, The Grateful Dead, Julio Iglesias, and many, many more. American Concerts rose to be the prominent promoter in the southeast, promoting between 50 to 60 concerts per year for over 30 years. Nelson never wanted to retire, but was forced to do so because of his battle with Parkinson's Disease and extreme knee pain from an old tennis injury. A visitation will be held at The Tampa Women's Club, 2901 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, on Friday, December 2, from 6-8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in South Tampa on Saturday, December 3, at 12 pm. Entombment will follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4202 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Nelson's honor to Moffitt Cancer Center or the American Parkinson Disease Association. www.blountcurrymacdill.com