Domenico E. Tamasi, 93

Restaurateur

July 23, 1929 - April 15, 2023

Domenico E. Tamasi, 93, of Skillman died on April 15 at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Pettoranello del Molise, Italy. Domenico was a restaurateur. He was the owner/operator of the Glendale Inn in Ewing.

Domenico first immigrated from Italy to Princeton in April 1948. He resided with his sister Vincenza and worked various landscaping jobs with his brother-in-law Ginefrico. He remained in the United States for several years before returning to Italy where he met Adele. They were married on July 10, 1954 before they made the return voyage to the United States in December 1954.

Domenico was ever-resourceful and an inspired worker whose ambition became a life that revolved around food. While he continued his work as a landscaper, he began his culinary career at The Princeton Inn as a pot washer. After his shifts, he would stay on to apprentice with the butcher.

Domenico worked his way up to butcher, acquiring various other skills along the way—including ice sculpture carving. He then advanced to Purchasing for Dining Services on campus at Princeton University’s Wilcox Hall. While working at the university he attended seminars and was awarded certificates from The Culinary Institute of America, Cornell University, Ball State University, Immaculata College, and The University of Oklahoma—to name a few.

While honing his craft he started his own catering business. As a caterer, he was a sought after source for weddings and community events.

In 1972, along with his partners Ennio and Anthony Lieggi, he acquired and ran the very successful Glendale Inn in Ewing. In 1981 he sold the business and accepted a position at Meadow Lakes Presbyterian Homes as director of food services in East Windsor, which is where he worked until he retired.

Domenico and Adele raised four children and hosted countless holidays, birthdays, events, and family meals at their home. They were able in the later years to travel to Italy frequently, as well as many other countries, islands, and states.

Domenico was known for his prosciutto, which he prepared and cured in his home, also for making exceptional meat sauces, and his ever-popular clams casino. Domenico and Adele were excellent cooks and hosts for family and friends.

Domenico was active in his community. He served on the Ways and Means committee at the Princeton Italian American Sportsman Club, was a member of the Roma Eterna, served as president of the Princeton-Pettoranello Sister City Foundation from 1996-97, and was a trustee from 1992 to 2010. In 2005 he was awarded the Order of Merit and named Caveliere by the foundation. The ties to the Sister City of Pettoranello were solidified with this honor as it reinforced the message of family and tradition—both of which were paramount in Domenico’s life and heart.

He was predeceased by his parents Nicola and Elvina (Palumbo) Tamasi, a brother and sister-in-law Eliseo and Lina Tamasi, a sister and brother-in-law Vincenza and Ginefrico Pirone, and a son-in-law Raymond Pettus.

Domenico is survived by his loving wife Adele R. (Petrecca) Tamasi, two daughters Elvina Pettus, Sandra Tamasi, two sons and a daughter-in-law Nicholas Tamasi, Paul and Laurie Tamasi (Siggia), ten grandchildren Ean Jacobs, Erroll Tamasi, Ryan Pettus and Jennifer Pettus (Casamalhuapa), Erin Pettus, Ellis Tamasi, Evan Pettus and Devin Pettus (Brakel), Briana Tamasi and Guthrie Schoolar, Emma Tamasi, Peytann Tamasi, Jameson Troy, 4 great-grandchildren Bianca Pettus, Elizabeth Pettus, Dominic Pettus, Miles Parker, and many other nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.

Donations can be made to the Princeton-Pettoranello Sister City Foundation or St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

A visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am on Monday, April 24, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, April 24, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.