The Romeo Family

​Our Story

 

­We begin this story with Joseph Romeo.  Joseph married and had one son, who was given away to a wealthy merchant.  His first wife died and he married a second time - his second wife died leaving no children.  Joseph then married Saveria (a much younger woman) and they had two sons (Dominic and Anthony), and two daughters (Theresa and Victoria).  Joseph died shortly after the birth of Victoria.  The boys were sent to work in different villages.  Dominic - the patriarch of our family - worked as an errand boy for a wealthy man in Italy.  

 

The years passed, and Dominic met Catherine Tripodi.  Catherine’s parents were Pauline and Paul.  She had three sisters:  Lucy (Zombo), Victoria (Paonessa), and Josephine (Latella), and one brother:  Joseph Tripodi.  Dominic Romeo and Catherine Tripodi were married in Italy on March 27, 1905, and thus began “The Romeo Family”.   Sometime in 1906, Dominic left his wife Catherine and their unborn child in Italy to seek a better life in America.  This child - Joseph, was born on November 23rd, 1906.  Catherine and the baby Joseph joined Dominic in America in 1907.

 

The young Romeo family first lived on Riopelle St. in Detroit.  Dominic held many different jobs - a common practice for a newly arrived immigrant.  A couple of these odd jobs included selling bananas, and working for the railroad.  The family soon moved to Brewster Street shortly before the birth of their second child - Pauline, born July 30th, 1908.  Their third child Dominic died at the tender age of 6 months.  While still living on Brewster, a fourth child called Sadie (Saveria) was born on December 26th, 1910.  

 

The Romeo family soon bought a lot and built their new home on Cadillac, between Moffat and Barker roads.  Their home was between Catherine’s sister Lucy’s home and Dominic’s brother Anthony’s home.  While living at this home, a fifth child Anthony (Tut) was born on January 17th, 1913.  Later, their sixth child Alfred (Frank) was born on January 19th, 1915.  

 

This expanding Romeo family outgrew their home, and built a new home at 5139 Cadillac. Their next door neighbors on one side were John & Mary Zedde - who had two sons Frank and Elio.  Their neighbors on the other side were the Walter Drawol family. This new home consisted of a kitchen, living room and two bedrooms.  Lucille, their 7th child was born on January 30th, 1917.  Dominic their 8th child was born May 19th, 1919.  Their last child, Carmella, was born 2 years later, and died at the age of eight after a long illness.  

   

Dominic Romeo started working at Detroit Edison Company and soon started enlarging their home.  He added a bedroom upstairs.  A few years later, a larger kitchen, a bathroom, and another bedroom were added.  To help with the expenses, Dominic and Catherine took in roomers.   

 

When Dominic and Catherine first moved to Cadillac St., the area was all farmland.  Soon, a new school was built across the street.  Catherine Romeo died at the age of 55 after a long illness.  The homestead was carried on by Lucy, who was by then married to Mike Orlando.  Dominic and his son Dominic lived with them.  The younger Dominic married Mary Tomasille after returning from the service.  The home was eventually sold in 1957.  The elder Dominic Romeo then moved in with his daughter Pauline, until she sold her home on Cadillac.  Dominic then moved in with his daughter Sadie, where he stayed until his death on June 20th, 1967.

 

The common thread of this story of Dominic and Catherine was their love for each other and their family.  Let us never forget our roots - and always carry on the tradition of love which we have inherited from Dominic and Catherine.

 

God Bless our Family!