Obituary of Dominick "Dickie" Giordano, Jr.

Dominick “Dickie” Giordano, Jr., a lifelong resident of Madison, was called home to the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19. He was 83 years of age.

Dickie was born in Madison on January 16, 1937 to the late Dominick and Rose Giordano. He was raised in a large, loving family of nine children and was a graduate of Madison High School. He was a graduate of St. Vincent Martyr School and a lifelong parishioner of St. Vincent Martyr Church.  

Dickie entered the United States Army and served for several years, as well as continuing his service in the Army reserves, being honorably discharged in 1962. It was then that he returned home to Madison and began his career in the restaurant and bar business. At around the same time he was introduced to Margaret Rose “Margie” Yarussi of Summit and the couple quickly became inseparable. They married and eventually settled in Madison.

Dickie was a genuine, good hearted gentleman and it was only natural for him to enter the hospitality business because he loved people, and everyone loved him. For many years Dickie was the proprietor and operator of Poor Herbie’s Restaurant and Bar on Waverly Place in Madison. He was not afraid of hard work and he always made sure his patrons were well cared for. Over the years Dickie played an integral role in the operation of a few other area establishments, such as the Widow Brown of Madison and the Pizza & Sandwich Barn of Caldwell.

Dickie was extremely involved in the Madison community for his entire life and he was a founding member of the North Star Athletic Club.

He would do anything for his friends and relatives and would give the shirt off of his back to a stranger in need – this was the type of man Dickie was. He was a very sociable and loveable man with a tremendous love for life in general. He was a strong-willed survivor as well. Having a few encounters, including falling out of the back of an ambulance, Dickie always rallied and bounced back due to his strong will to live and unending love for his friends and family. His determination and strength will be an inspiration to all that loved and knew this incredible man, and his goodness and caring for all will not be forgotten.

In addition to his parents, Dickie was recently predeceased in August by his beloved wife, Margaret “Margie” Giordano; and his siblings, Carol Perkalis, Phylis Herrick & Pat Giordano. He is survived by four sisters, Roseann De Metro, Joann Chirit, Patricia Schenawols, Loretta Phillips & Jimmy Giordano; cousins, Gail and Sam Cerciello, Bridget Mantone, Lisa Defrance, John Costa, Jr, and Anna Costa; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral services for Dickie will be held for a very small group of immediate family for the safety of all. The funeral service may be viewed via Facebook Live from the Madison Memorial Home Facebook page on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 11:00AM. Interment with military honors will be held at St. Vincents Cemetery, Madison. For notes of condolence to the family, please visit www.madisonmemorialhome.com

Charitable contributions may be made in Dickie’s memory to the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 29 Prospect Street, Madison, NJ 07940.

A Memorial Mass at St. Vincent Martyr Church to celebrate Dickie’s life will be announced at a later date.