Josephine Rose Germano

Josephine Rose Pedalino Germano peacefully entered the gates of Heaven on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at home surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Josephine was born in East Elmhurst, NY on September 4, 1921. Her parents, of blessed memory, were Vito (Bill) Pedalino and Lillian Pepia Pedalino. She had 3 brothers Vito (Sonny) Pedalino, Matthew Pedalino, Joey Pedalino and 1 sister, Jenny Mirasola, all predeceased. As a young girl, Josephine lived a simple life. She was expected to clean the house and watch over her brothers. She was studious and had a great desire to learn. Her parents were very strict about punctuality, especially her mother, who taught her traditional Sicilian cooking and the difference between right and wrong. She idolized her father and the way he cared for her mother and siblings. He was the image of the man she knew she wanted. After she graduated from school, she worked in a dress factory but always dreamed of becoming a nurse.

In September 1941, Josephine met the love of her life, Frank Joseph Germano. Their first date was on Mother’s Day in May 1942 and they eloped and were married on October 29, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio. They celebrated their wedding by going to the movies to see “Somewhere I’ll find you in Toledo”. When they were first married, they lived in Warren, Ohio until Josephine went back home to live with her parents when Frank volunteered for the Navy in December 1942. As a wife, she tried to be perfect, always cooking, cleaning, and catering to Frank’s every wish. Josephine would say Frank wanted her as his mate for the rest of their lives. She often said she married her “soulmate sailor” and their favorite song until the day she died was “Always in My Heart”. They were married for 63 years until Frank’s death in 2007. Josephine and Frank had three beautiful children, Judith, Joseph and Mary and they lived on Long Island for over 20 + years until they moved to Tamarac, Florida in 1975.

Josephine was a very selfless person who always put her family before herself. Her faith in the Lord remained the foundation of her life. She loved everyone unconditionally, had the kindest disposition, and always went above and beyond for anyone. In return, everyone just adored her. She was fun, young at heart, had a great sense of humor and loved to go out to eat and drink a beer or a martini. She had beautiful green eyes, strawberry blonde hair, and her smile would light up a room. Her famous saying was, “This too shall pass”. Family was everything to her and her greatest passion was cooking and overfeeding everyone. She was known best for making Spiedini’s for the holidays and an abundance of cookies for Christmas. The more family that came to our house to celebrate an event, the more she cooked. She was so proud of her children and their spouses. She adored her grandchildren and her most amazing and treasured nine great-grandchildren. She was so fortunate to have all these blessings and appreciated and loved them with all her heart. They all absolutely adored her too and she shared a very special connection with each of them. She is survived by her three children, Judith (Phil, who is deceased) Yacobellis, Joseph (Joann) Germano, Mary (Robert) Mossie and 8 grandchildren, Philip Yacobellis, Matthew Yacobellis, James (Donna) Yacobellis, Charles Oddo, Carolyn (Edward) Leach, Deborah (Milo) Avidane, Joseph (Emily) Germano and Charles Germano (his wife, Tracey who is deceased) and 9 great-grandchildren. Her first grandchild, Frank Joseph Yacobellis was tragically taken from us on August 5, 1990. Donations in memory of Josephine may be made to: Vitas Healthcare; 5420 NW 33rd Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 33309.