Ralph Mendoza Ferrera

Ralph Mendoza Ferrera aka Rev Ralph (58) went home to the Lord on Thursday February 6, 2014. Born in Long Island City, New York on January 16, 1956; he was preceded in death by his parents Ralph & Angie Ferrera and his great-niece Giani Rose Alvarez. He arrived in Tampa the summer of 1965; attended Lee Elementary School, George Washington Jr. High & Hillsborough HS. Rev. Ralph was an electrifying piano player and a consummate entertainer. He opened for Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary in the late 70s at the Houston Astrodome. Ralph and his twin brother Richard “tore up” Tampa in the 70s with the Freewheelers Band. Ralph was best known for his solo show. He was voted best keyboardist by Creative Loafing and was Creative Loafing’s Critics Choice, Best Performer. He made the cover of Tampa Tribune’s Friday Extra with a complete expose. Steve Garbarino said, “He’s Jerry Lee Lewis, Liberace, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Amadeus Mozart and maybe even Ricky Ricardo. His voice sounds like a hoarse John Lennon. Some of the local establishments where Ralph entertained: Skippers, Mad Dogs and Englishmen and Masquerade to name a few. He was a local fixture at Ybor City’s Carmines Restaurant for many years and performed in Ybor City’s first Tropical Heat Wave. His heart was in Ybor City where he lived and had a recording studio. There he composed and recorded his own songs as well as the music of such local artists as Blind Willie James, Jack Dickson, his brother Richard, Johnny Hancock and Coyotes, Town Dogs (Adam Floyd) along with many others. Most recently Ralph was donating his talents to the Trinity Café. Their mission is to restore a sense of dignity to the homeless and hungry. That mission was near and dear to his heart. Ralph also played at the Underground which supports a local ministry empowering women by assisting in securing jobs and helping them financially. Ralph will be missed but never forgotten by his twin brother Richard M Ferrera, sisters China Ferrera Moran (David) and Rose Ferrera Tozzi (Ronald) many beloved lifelong friends and family members. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 23, 2014, 3 p.m. at Community Life Church, 5701 N. 20th Street, Tampa, Fl 33610. A time of fellowship will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Ralph’s memory to Trinity Café, PO Box 320146, Tampa, Fl 33679.