Joseph M. “Joe” Romano, 77, of Maple Glen, owner of a popular service station in Chestnut Hill, died July 30 of amyloidosis at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.
Mr. Romano operated Romano’s Automotive Service for 34 years at what is now the Top of the Hill at Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike. The service station was sold and torn down in 1994 to make way for the former Borders Book Store.
A native of Bucchianico in the province of Abruzzi, Italy, Mr. Romano came to the United States in 1947. He worked as a delivery boy, stone mason and auto mechanic before opening his own service station in 1960.
After closing his business, he worked for 10 more years in the produce department of George’s Shop N Bag Market, in Dreshertown, where he frequently met many of the men he coached as boys years earlier on Upper Dublin’s travel baseball leagues.
A “passionate philanthropist,” according to his family, he gave thousands of hours and dollars to countless charities and individuals. He was a devoted member of St. Alphonsus Church, in Maple Glen, where he served as Eucharistic Minister and as a parish representative in many surrounding nursing homes where he visited with homebound residents.
In addition to his wife of 53 years, Liberata, Mr. Romano is survived by a son, Joseph; a daughter, Donna; and four grandchildren. A brother, Sante, and sisters Guistina and Anna preceded him in death.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 3 at St. Alphonsus Church with interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Hope Church, 5200 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19141. – WF
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