Frank Anthony Romano

Born and raised in New Orleans, Daddy was the life of the party, spinner of yarns, everyone’s best friend, and the occasional catamaran usurper. Daddy was blessed to meet the absolute love of his life, Gay, at the age of 13, and he knew enough to hold on to a good thing. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year, if life was fair.

Daddy made longtime friends at St. Cecilia, then later, Holy Cross, and, ever focused on education, you could say he was the class “bookie.” He attended UNO, where he was a devoted toga-clad member of Phi Kappa Theta, earning a “vat” of lifelong fraternity brothers.

After graduating as a member of Omega Delta fraternity from the Southern College of Optometry, Daddy hung a shingle on Williams Blvd. He poured his heart and soul into his practice, Kenner Eye Care, for many decades exuding the type of care and compassion he exemplified throughout life.

In his spare time, Daddy could be found on the golf course with his to-go cup of Meyers Rum and Coke and a smile. He rode in Krewe of Caesar for too many years, loving the celebration and energy of the crowd, but not the way he felt the next day. He was also a devoted member of the Knights of Columbus. He spent countless hours with friends and family around the card table, jockeying the horserace game, and coming up with answers from thin air in trivial pursuit. Daddy was an excellent cook…most of the time. Although we will miss his fried eggs, red gravy, meatballs, and cheesy noodles, we will not miss his tendency to barbecue with a hose.

To say our lives are less joyful without Daddy is an understatement.

Daddy was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Anthony and Mary Glorioso Romano, and his sister Catherine Romano Oddo and her husband Robert “Bobby” Oddo.

He is survived by his wife, Gay Bartolotta Romano, son, Mark Romano and his wife Jennifer Romano, daughter Dominique Romano, spare son Jeffrey Meyers and his wife Kristy Meyers, countless cousins (with whom he would frequently luncheon), nephew Anthony “Tony” Oddo and his wife Lauren Oddo, nephew Robert “Robby” Oddo, sister-in-law Joy Grisoli and her husband Rick Grisoli, niece Gretchen Dauterive and her husband Edward Dauterive, nephew Jay Grisoli and his wife Stratton Grisoli, various nieces/nephews and cousins once removed, as well as lifelong friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 1:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10:00AM. The interment will follow the Mass at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. The family invites you to share your thoughts, memories and condolences at www.lakelawnmetairie.com

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