Former minor-league owner Joe Romano dies

Joe Romano, an Ambler native who built a successful produce business before purchasing minor-league baseball teams in three cities and becoming a Phillies scout, died of natural causes Thursday in Clearwater, Fla. Mr. Romano's age was not disclosed.

His ownership tenure began in 1967 and lasted until 1983. He first operated a Detroit Tigers farm team in Erie, Pa. After selling that, he purchased the Houston Astros franchise in Williamsport, Pa. His team later moved to Elmira, N.Y., where it became an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

Since 1983, he had served as an "assistant scout" with the Phillies, his nephew Bob Romano said.

"His territory was the Mid-Atlantic region," Romano said. "And since he had a home in Clearwater, he would scout college teams in Florida for the Phillies."

One of his closest associates was Ruben Amaro Sr., the father of the Phillies general manager, whom he met scouting in Latin America.

Born in Ambler, Mr. Romano played baseball at Ambler High and in various semipro leagues. After high school, he purchased a warehouse in Norristown and was a founding partner in Romano Brothers, a supplier of fruits and vegetables.

The family firm eventually grew to have a fleet of 10 trucks all emblazoned with its name and straightforward slogan, "Live Longer. Eat Fresh Fruit and Vegetables."

Mr. Romano eventually sold his share of the business in 1978, 11 years after he had bought the Tigers farm team in Erie.

Along the way, Mr. Romano cultivated many friendships in baseball, including one with Norristown native Tommy Lasorda, the Hall of Fame manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was through Lasorda that he learned of an opening for extras in the film The Godfather Part II.

"He got the part, and he played a customs agent in the movie. You can see him walking alongside Hyman Roth [the gangster played by Lee Strasburg] after he was arrested," his nephew said.

Although baseball was his passion, Mr. Romano was an avid sports fan. He attended several Kentucky Derbies as well as the 1960 and 1964 Summer Olympics, in Rome and Tokyo, respectively.

In 1965, he became one of the original investors in Cloverlay Inc., a group of local investors who helped finance the early professional career of Joe Frazier, the future heavyweight champion.

In 1998, Mr. Romano was inducted into the Pennsylvania American Legion's Sports Hall of Fame.

He is survived by a sister, Mary Roberto, and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings, Victor, John, Frank, Michael and Rose.

Relatives and friends are invited to call after 9 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church, Main and Poplar Streets, Ambler.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. and internment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham. Remembrances in his name can be made to the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Rd., Blue Bell, 19422, or the Arthritis Foundation, 11 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, 19106.