UPDATE: Funeral Services Set For Joseph Romano, 73

SEA ISLE CITY– The owner of Sea Isle Ice company, Joe Romano Sr., 73, has died city officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
Sea Isle Ice is an iconic family owned and operated business in Sea Isle City and Woodbine that was established in 1965.
Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio, a longtime friend of Romano spent the afternoon comforting the Romano family.
Desiderio said, “Joe loved his family, loved his friends and loved Sea Isle City and I was proud to call him my friend”.
“Romano was a generous man who touched many lives and will be missed, he said.”
Romano, Joseph A., Sr., Romano, Sr. Joseph A. 73 of Sea Isle City, NJ passed away suddenly on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Born in Bronx, NY, he was a Sea Isle City, NJ resident for 65 years. Mr. Romano was a graduate of Ocean City High School in 1956, he then joined the US Army Reserve serving until his honorable discharge in 1964. Upon leaving the military service, he joined Acme Markets where he remained for 30 years managing the produce department. Simultaneously, Mr. Romano founded Sea Isle Ice in Sea Isle City which became his life long passion. Among his many civic and community affiliations were the National Federation of Independent Business, the Sea Isle Chamber of Commerce, the Madonna-Maria Council Knights of Columbus, Past Vice President for Sea Isle City Board of Education, one of the original founding members and President of the Sea Isle City Italian American Club, the Sea Isle City Fall Family Fun Day and the Sea Isle City Skimmer Weekend Committee. Additionally, Mr. Romano served as a member of the Board of Directors of 1st Bank of Sea Isle for 18 years, including the position of Vice Chairman. Surviving are his wife, Sue Ann Romano (nee Bianchino), son, Joseph A. Romano, Jr. and his wife Jackie, a brother, Silverio “Butch” Romano, a sister, Frannie Steelman, two grandchildren, Jeannie and Jacklyn. Friends may call Monday evening from six until eight o’clock at The Godfrey Funeral Home of Palermo, 644 South Shore Road, Palermo, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock from St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, 43rd and Landis Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ where friends may call from nine o’clock until the time of mass. Burial will follow mass in Calvary Baptist Cemetery, Ocean View, NJ. The family suggests those who desire send memorial contributions to Sea Isle City Ambulance Corps., PO Box 194, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243. To email condolences, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.