25/04/2026
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Tony Romano on the 21st of April 2026.
Tony was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a man who meant so much to all of us. His presence, his humour, and his steady nature will be deeply missed by our family and all who knew him.
Tony was one of the original Isle of Capri tomato growers in Nelson. His passion and dedication became the inspiration behind what Romanos is known for today.
When Tony and Gemma decided they wanted to stop growing tomatoes my late husband Nick and I decided to relocate the glasshouses out to Cable Bay to continue the Romano legacy. Over the last 20 years Tony passed on years of knowledge, worked many hours when we needed help and was always a phone call away when we needed advice with the tomato plants
As his daughter-in-law, I feel incredibly privileged for the role he played in my life, particularly after the passing of my late husband Nick. In that time, Tony quietly stepped in with patience, strength, and an incredible depth of knowledge. He guided me through and helped me continue on with the work and legacy we had built as a family. I will always be thankful for what he taught me, not just about growing, but about resilience, hard work, and carrying on no matter what life brings.
A funeral service to celebrate Tony’s life will be held on Wednesday, 29 April at 11:00am at St Mary’s Church, Manuka Street, Nelson, followed by a burial at Marsden Valley Cemetery.
Family and friends are warmly invited to join us for afternoon tea at Club Italia from 1:30pm to continue sharing memories and celebrating his life.
A Rosary will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, 28 April at St Mary’s Church.
We will continue to honour Tony’s legacy in everything we do.
With love,
Bettina Romano & family 🤍
