Fernando Mesa's House

210 E Ross Ave

Fernando Rodriquez Mesa was born in 1913 in what is know as the Tampa Heights area.  He is the eldest of three sons, Joseph, Harold, and Fernando.  Fernando's school career ended early as the Depression was in full force and money was scarce.  Each of the sons was expected to help out.  

Trying his hand at various odd jobs, if any were found, he settled on working in a men's clothing store.  Eventually he tried his hand at other hobs, concentrating on those that brought him directly in contact with the public.  He found out early that he had a gift for carrying on a conversation and sharing tidbits of information that seemed to deep people's attention.   

Having a true ambition to succeed, he entered and graduated from Tampa Business College in 1931, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design.  This business went on for a couple of years until the war started.  Money being scarce and business being slow, Fernando decided to enter the service.  This was a short experience because of a minor heart ailment.  Wanted to help his Country he acquired a job wording for the Civil Service.  He worded in the clerical job at MacDill Air Force Base. 

In 1921, seeing that the young people of Tampa Heights had little in the way of social outlets, he organized a club called the LBH Club, which is the "Let's Be Happy Club".  The club gave young people of that time a chance to get together, have fun, and become aware of the proper social scene of that time.  

The organization of the LBH Club was just the beginning of Fernando's involvement in the public and social scene of Tampa and Ybor City proper.  At age 89 Fernando still has the time and energy to be involved in many city organizations and events.  He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree.  In 1947 he worked as a set designer at Tampa's 'Little Theater'.  He is a member of Tampa's Junior Chamber of Commerce.  In conjunction with the University of Tampa, he initiated a Christmas tradition on Bay Shore called "Christmas Card Lane", which displayed large three-dimensional Christmas cards designed by Fernando and drawn and painted by students in the University's art class.   

Fernando lives in his childhood home which is a popular showplace because he has filled it with valuable antiques, furnishings, family mementos, and newspaper articles depicting numerous historical people and events pertinent to Ybor City and Tampa in general.  He has souvenirs brought back from the many places he visited all over the world.  

The annual Christmas party at his home, which he has hosted since 1940, is the talk of the town.  Given mainly to promote the age old tradition of getting together during the Holidays, the event is one in which all peoples of Tampa share past and present events and happenings among wonderful artifacts and treasures of the past.  

Fernando is a member of the Sacred Heart Church, and has been since 1940.  He was a charter member of the Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, now Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, in which he is a member of the Holy Name Society, a men's group that helps worthy causes.  He is also a member of the American Legion, Ybor City Museum, Henry B Plant Museum, Tampa Bay History Center and was voted Man of the Year 2000 by the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce for his civic involvement.  In 2001 he received the Tony Pizzo award given by the Tampa Historical Society for 'unselfish and dedicated service' as a member of its Board of Directors.  

Lucky for us he is a member of the Cuban Club of Tampa, with the special honor of being a member of the elite group 'The Mambi Society'.  He participates annually in the Gasparilla parade and is on the Board of Directors for the club.  

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