By Ivan Pereira
Friends of the Antoniello family said the Italian-American clan is a close-knit group that goes out of its way to help those in need.
Last week, the family’s youngest son, Geraldo, 29, made the ultimate sacrifice to save his father, Romeo, when two masked burglars broke into his Ozone Park home. Neighbors and longtime friends grieved for the slain man last Thursday outside the Romeo Antoniello’s pizzeria at 134-24 Cross Bay Blvd. near a makeshift memorial created at the steps of the longtime eatery.
“It’s a tragedy and should not have happened,” said a teary-eyed family friend who created the memorial but refused to identify herself to the press.
Around 10 p.m. Sept. 19, police said Romeo Antoniello, 61, was returning to Geraldo Antoniello’s home on North Conduit Avenue after closing up for the day at the pizzeria, which he and his family has worked at for decades, when he was accosted by two masked men. The unidentified burglars began to assault the elder Antoniello when Geraldo came to his father’s aid and tried to stop the men, but was shot in the head, according to police.
The burglars fled the scene without taking any goods from the home, the police said.
“The police choppers were going off last night. This morning we saw the police cars and though, ‘Oh, no. Something happened,’” said a neighbor who identified herself as Soney. She has lived in the area with her husband for about six years.
Geraldo, who was known as Jerry to his friends, was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition while his father was not seriously hurt, according to police. The 29-year-old died shortly before 6 a.m. the next morning at the hospital, police said. He was the youngest of Romeo Antoniello’s three sons, one of whom is an NYPD officer and came to the house following the shooting, according to friends and neighbors.
The two suspects, described only as black males, had not been caught as of press time Tuesday, according to police. John Gamble, 44, who lives near the pizzeria and is close with the Antoniellos, blasted the fugitives for killing Geraldo.
“I know you’re desperate for money, but you don’t do that for money,” he said.
Family members could not be reached for comment.
Romeo Antoniello moved to Queens from Italy more than 40 years ago and opened up a chain of pizzerias around the borough.
The immigrant and his family have been active in the Ozone Park community for years, not only for their work behind the counter of the Cross Bay Boulevard shop, but also by donating money and time to local charities, according to friends.
“He didn’t care about money. He would give food away. He was humble,” said Antonio Cerron, who visited the memorial.
Anyone with information on the fugitives is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, text their tips to 274637 then enter TIP577 or log on to nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
