Roma Lodge #1573

Roma Lodge’s 85 Year Member!

Joe Signorelli Sr. joined the Order of Sons of Italy in America on April 25, 1936. Yes, 1936! Joe just celebrated his 85th year as a member of the Order and was recognized at the Roma Lodge gathering on May 3rd. Just three days later, on May 6th Joe passed away, with his family by his side, at the age of 96 in Lompoc, California. Joe’s parents, Adam Peter and Giovanna Signorelli came to America from northern Italy in the early 1900’s and farmed and ranched in the Lompoc area.

The Signorelli Family were longtime members of the “G. Marconi” Lompoc Lodge #1575 established on August 31, 1930. When the Lompoc lodge closed, members transferred their membership to the Santa Barbara Lodge #1552 which was established in 1929. In 2009 the Santa Barbara Lodge closed, and members transferred their membership to the Roma Lodge #1573.

Joe was born in Lompoc on October 26, 1934 and lived in the community for the next 96 years. Joe spent his childhood growing up and farming alongside his brothers, Peter Jr., and Frank. He often liked to recall stories of his childhood growing up in Honda Canyon and about the Lompoc he knew in his youth. Whether it was sharing the watermelon haul from his garden with his family and reminiscing about how they used to store them in the hay in the barn to prolong their shelf life when he was young or standing at the kitchen sink and making a joke about how running water is an invention because “they didn’t have this when I was a kid!”.

Joe’s wife Sylvia was a 67-year member of the Order and passed away in May of 2019. Although, they lived a long way from Tulare they were avid readers of the LeNotizie and followers of Roma Lodge activities. Farewell Brother Joe Signorelli. May you rest in peace. You can read more about Joe’s incredible life at https://www.starbucklind.com/obituary/joe-signorelli

Roma Lodge will start officially meeting in August. In the meantime, the lodge had a gathering of members and guests on May 3rd. Nearly 60 members were on hand to receive their membership milestone certificates from the 2020 or 2021 year. They enjoyed a box dinner, so the lodge would be in compliance with local COVID-19 guidelines, and had a great time.