Joseph J. ‘Joe’ Romano
“One of the good guys”
The world lost one of its ‘good guys’ last weekend with the passing of Joseph J. ‘Joe’ Romano, 87, of Orange, on August 5, 2017, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont.
Born in Orange, Texas, on September 28, 1929, he was the son of John Romano and Maria (Ricca) Romano.
Joe was employed by Levingston Shipbuilding Co. and the Port of Orange, retiring as Director of Economic Development. A member of the 1st Marine Division Ammo Company, otherwise known as ‘Monk’s Raiders’, Joe served honorably during the Korean War as a Sergeant. He was a Life Member of the 1st Marine Division Association, faithfully—and gleefully—attending many reunions of Monk’s Raiders over the years.
As a boy, Joe attained the status of Eagle Scout—at the time, the youngest Scout to achieve that honor. He was a deeply involved life-long member of St. Mary Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus and the V.F.W. He was also a member of the American Legion and the National Defense Executive Reserve. Joe is a graduate of Stark High School, an alumnus of Texas A&M and a graduate of the University of Texas. Notwithstanding his UT degree, Joe was always an Aggie at heart.
In retirement, Joe maintained his svelte physique with regular visits to the gym, most often stopping off for Mass first—he liked to say he worked out ‘religiously’. He was also an enthusiastic gardener, proclaiming himself a ‘Certified Master Gardener’—certified, of course, by Joe himself. He kept his mind sharp through a preternatural obsession with Jeopardy; never missing an episode—and seldom a question.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, John Dominic Romano; and his siblings, Dominic Romano, Louis Romano, Angie Lomonte, Rosalie Lovoi, and Michael Romano.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Blanda Romano of Orange; his children, Thomas F. Romano and his wife, Barbara of Flower Mound, TX; Mary Trocino and her husband, Michael of Austin, TX; Joy Romano-Miller and her husband, Kenneth of Houston, TX, and Joseph M. Romano and wife, Melisa of Orange, TX; his daughter-in-law, Kristen Romano of Highland Village, TX; his grandchildren, John Romano and his wife, Lauren; Mykal Romano-Benefield and her husband, Michael; Ria Romano, Josh Romano, Damien Hebert, Nicholas Romano, Mitchell Trocino, and Anthony Romano; his great-grandchild, Heidi Gayle Benefield; and his brother, Carlo Romano of Fallbrook, CA. In addition to his immediate family, Joe will be missed by his many nieces and nephews—some of whom were more like brothers and sisters—and his numerous life-long friends. Questa era la sua famiglia.
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons John Romano, Josh Romano, Nicholas Romano, Damien Hebert, Mitchell Trocino, Anthony Romano, and Michael Benefield. Honorary pallbearers are Frank Lomonte, Nick Lomonte, Frank Zeto, Joe Lovoi, JJ Lovoi, Joe Murphy, John Richard, and Sid Caillavet.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 11, 2017, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Joseph P. Daleo of St. Mary Catholic Church, with Burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange.
Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, with a Rosary at 10:30 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary School, 2600 Bob Hall Rd, Orange, TX 77632.
Gig ‘em, Joe.