Romeo Fausto Galasso, self-made man
Romeo Fausto Galasso, 71, passed away in his Lewes home Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, due to complications from ALS.
Romeo was born in Liège, Belgium, to Vittorio and Pia Galasso July 10, 1953. Romeo’s family returned home to his parents' village, Sant’ Andrea del Garigliano, Italy, when he was 3. In 1965, at 12, Romeo then emigrated from Italy to the U.S. with his family, where he graduated from Brandywine High School.
Romeo owned and operated several successful businesses through his life – the Talleyville, Fairfax, Mendenhall, and Hockessin Sunoco Stations, as well as Hockessin Auto Service Center.
Romeo is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Mary Ellen Galasso (nee Kane); his three sons, Vittorio Nicholas Galasso (Elizabeth), Brandon Roland Galasso (Ann Marie) and Joseph Anthony Galasso (Beth); his sisters, Adriana Antignani (Salvatore) and Antonia Rossi (Ferdinando); his mother-in-law, Patricia Clark; his brother-in-law, Jeffrey Kane (Brenda); his grandchildren, Ava, Robert, Christian and Maya; as well as many adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and half-siblings.
Romeo was extremely proud of his Italian heritage. He served as president of the Giuseppe Verdi Club in Wilmington, where he enjoyed playing bocce and laughing with his friends. His friends loved and admired him so much that the club made him president for life.
Romeo loved soccer, both playing and coaching. He coached all three of his sons and many of their friends. Most Sundays, Romeo watched his favorite team, A.S. Roma.
Romeo was a self-made man from a young age, when he opened his first business at 21. Known for his warmth and generosity, he developed many relationships with the customers and communities his businesses supported. He and his brother-in-law, Ferdinando Rossi, were longtime business partners. In 2015, it elated him to make his son Brandon his sole partner. Romeo worked until the end, helping Brandon plan for the next chapter of the business.
Romeo lived and breathed for his family. He was a natural caretaker and always looked to help others. Romeo made sure he instilled his deep commitment to family in his three sons. He worked hard but also played hard, spending most weekends at his Lewes home, riding scooters, cooking well, and enjoying his homemade wine. Romeo spent his summers watching his grandchildren play in the pool and hanging out with his children, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vittorio and Pia; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Kane; his brother-in-law, Salvatore; his nephew, Robert; his father-in-law, Roland H. Kane; and his lifelong best friend, Larry Miner.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, at McCrery & Harra, 3710 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 6, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 901 N. DuPont St., Wilmington, followed by internment at Cathedral Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Romeo’s memory may be directed to ALS United Mid-Atlantic.
