Joseph M Romano

Giovanni-Giuseppe Mario Romano, 86, of Pompano Beach passed away on July 26, 2022, with loved ones by his side. His beloved wife, Carol, preceded him in death in 2016. Carol affectionately referred to him as GG and that nickname stuck. Many of his friends simply referred to him as Joseph. Father of Laura Romano Labow (Dan Labow) and David Romano (former spouse Maria Romano). Stepfather of Peter Leone (Gina Iorizzo) and Andrew Leone. Grandfather to Gabrielle, Sophia, Giovanna, and Daniella, as well as Nonno to Alessandro and Nicholas. Loving brother to Giovanni, Vincenzo (Enzo), Alberto, Maria Rosaria, Raffaele (Renato), Anna, Francesca (Franca).

Joseph was born on March 5, 1936, on the island of Ischia (Italy) to Domenico and Irene Romano (nee Mazzella). After meeting Carol and falling in love they came to the United States and started a family. They were married over 51 years until Carol passed. After working in many restaurants in NYC and perfecting his culinary skills, in 1971 Chef GG and Carol established Dial-A-Chef which was the first of its kind Italian gourmet delivery in Lawrence, Long Island. In 1979 they moved to South Florida and opened La Tavernetta Italian Restaurant in Tamarac. 25 years later they closed for a couple of years and reopened on the water in Fort Lauderdale until they sold it and retired. La Tavernetta faithfully served patrons for over 30 years, providing house specialties such as Chicken Tavernetta and Veal Federico, and a whole lot more. The restaurant in Tamarac was frequented by celebrities due to Carol’s tireless efforts to market and promote it. Many celebrities who performed at nearby Sunrise Musical Theater would visit the restaurant after their shows. This list included Jerry Lewis, Tip O’Neill, Don Johnson, Liza Minelli and many more. They even published a cookbook full of the restaurant’s dishes that they sold. There will be a link included on his tribute page for their cookbook and we hope that you will enjoy preparing his specialties.

Joseph was a world traveler; he and Carol travelled from China to Greenland, Thailand to the Balkans and their last trip together was to Machu Pichu. They had a love of Spain often joining friends in their travels as well as family.

After Carol’s passing, he was introduced by friends from The Italian American Club to Bobbie Ahmad and the two were loving companions for the last 5 years. They enjoyed traveling to Europe and cruising together and joining us at our family Sunday dinners.

Joseph will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was someone who you could always count on as he was generous and selfless. He was truly a man who would give you the shirt off his back.

The family will receive friends Saturday, August 13 at 12:30 with a celebration of life at 1:30 at the Baird-Case Jordan-Fannin Funeral Home 4343 N Federal Highway, Ft Lauderdale FL 33308. The Family asks that in lieu of sending flowers, you can choose to donate to Best Buddies Palm Beach. Their website is: https://www.bestbuddieschampion.org/palmbeach/

Scroll down to download a copy of Joseph's cookbook.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph M Romano, please visit our floral store.