Tina Romanzi died peacefully in Bay Shore, NY at the age of 92. She was born in 1929 to Charles and Josephine Brancato in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She moved to a new home in Bay Shore, Long Island in 1957 and she remained on the Island in a house, apartment, and long-term care for the rest of her life. She grew up learning the ways of Italian Americans and she passed these customs on to her five children. Tina spent most of her life as a mother and homemaker, but she was proud of her work as a Special Education teacher’s aide and a tutor to non-English speakers when her own children were older. Tina was an excellent cook, and she often prepared meals inspired by her Sicilian heritage. She loved old movies and music, especially tunes from the Big Band Era. Along with most of her family, she was a great dancer. She could often be seen playing cards or her favorite game, Rummicub, with friends or family. Tina valued God and family above all else. She was married for 62 years to her husband, Louis Romanzi, Sr., and they raised their five children together. She had a special bond with her five siblings and their spouses. They were best friends who talked often, traveled together, celebrated together, and grieved together. She is predeceased by her husband, Louis Romanzi, Sr., her parents, Charles and Josephine Brancato, her brother Salvatore and his wife, Norma, her sister, Rosemarie and her husband, Dante, and her sister-in-law, Lydia Brancato. The biggest loss of her life, though, was her beloved daughter, Debbie Romanzi Molthrop.

She is survived by her daughter, JoAnn Romanzi Herne, her sons, Louis (Patricia) Romanzi, Jr., Robert (Phyllis) Romanzi, Kenneth (Nancy) Romanzi, and her “adopted” daughter, Jill Stewart. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren who she loved dearly including, John (Lisa) Herne, Erika Herne Sheets, Christopher (Hester) Herne, Robert Romanzi, Trevor (Jessica) Romanzi, Zachary Romanzi, Bryana (Ronald) Navarro, Sherry Romanzi, Ryan Molthrop, and Austin Helms. Her great-grandchildren were the light of her life and include, Louis and Charles Herne, Enzo and Julianna Navarro, and Evelyn Brightman. Also surviving are her brothers, Charles Brancato, Jr., Joseph (Madalyn) Brancato, Robert (Connie) Brancato, and her sister-in-law, Marie Nielsen. Tina leaves behind many nieces and nephews.