Joe Giudice has paid tribute to his estranged wife Teresa’s father Giacinto Gorga, who has died at the age of 76.
Real Housewives Of New Jersey star Joe posted a series of photos and videos with some words of appreciation for Giacinto’s legacy.
‘Thank you for setting an example for us and my girls – you’re an exemplary example, wrote Joe alongside photos of his four daughters with their grandfather.
Paying tribute: Joe Giudice pays tribute to estranged wife Teresa’s ‘guiding light’ father Giacinto Gorga after he dies at age 76
Joe, on lockdown in Italy, continued: ‘Thank you for being a guiding light—your experiences and knowledge helped us navigate day-to-day challenges.
‘Thank you for cooking at family holiday dinners—I cherish the times we all sat around the table together playing cards and listening to your remembrances of thanks. Thank you for your wit—your daughter got the best of that.
‘Now, Your [heart] and my dad are smiling in this tough time because they get to enjoy your good food and funny jokes. Love you Cin cin.’
Setting an example: He wrote: ‘Thank you for setting an example for us and my girls-you’re an exemplary example. We benefited from it every day’
Drinking buddies: He also shared a photo of himself with Giacinto and some buddies at a table, sharing some drinks and some laughs
Joe also shared a photo of himself with Giacinto and some buddies at a table, sharing some drinks and some laughs, writing: ‘I will never forget the times we spent together he was a true companion loved that man. Over 30 years together everyday! We got history.’
The father-of-four reminisced about a recent trip to Giacinto’s hometown of Sala Consilina, posting a video of him reuniting with relatives.
He wrote: ‘1st night in Sala Consilina my father-in-law home town 30 years since he has been here glad I had the chance to bring him everywhere he wanted to visit Rest In Peace.’
Home sweet home: The father-of-four reminisced about a recent trip to Giacinto’s hometown of Sala Consilina, posting a video of him reuniting with relatives
Sending love: While on lockdown in Italy, Joe posted some photos of Giacinto with himself, Teresa and their daughters
It comes after Teresa’s brother Joe Gorga told Andy Cohen on Thursday that Teresa was filing for divorce from her husband of 20 years.
She broke the news of her father’s death Friday on Instagram: ‘My father, my protector, my hero, God took you early this morning to be with mommy, I saw you peacefully pass & I know you kept fighting for my daughters and I,’ began the 47-year-old TV star.
‘I have so many amazing thoughts of you, every day seeing you in the kitchen at my home, teaching my girls to cook, my partner in crime on shopping trips, your love of the shore & my travel buddy,’ said the New Jersey native.
‘You always wanted everyone to have a good time, eat great food, have a stiff drink and enjoy life.
The way they were: Teresa said now her father can join her mother, who passed away in 2017
With her hero: Here Teresa is seen as a young child with her dapper daddy
Dressed up with daddy: She also shared this image from her home in New Jersey
He had been ill for a while: On Thursday she asked for prayers. ‘At this trying time I’m graciously asking for any extra prayers, good vibes, love….please send my father’s way,’ Teresa wrote in the post
This week: And the reality TV staple also said that her dad was ‘struggling’
The mother-of-four added, ‘You are the absolute strongest man I know & I know you missed mommy so much but you stayed for us. Thank you for being the best husband, father & Nonno.’
Giudice then said: ‘Your devotion to mommy was one for the record books, you were the true example and a gentleman and devoted husband. You visited mommy every single day & would go twice for the days you missed while traveling or if you were to sick to go, my silver lining is knowing you’ll be together now.
‘Thank you for showing us all what true love is. Love you Papa Rest In Peace.’
Teresa’s brother Joe had a sweet tribute for his dad. ‘I can’t believe he is gone,’ he began.
‘The world lost an amazing man human being today. He was exactly what a true father and husband should be. I will miss you more than you know, But go find your wife because I know that’s all you want and all you’ve ever talked about for the past 3 years. You will be missed every single day. You had energy that lit up a room and everyone fell in love with you.
‘You were truly one of a kind. I’m so happy you’re in no more pain. Rest In Peace Finally 4-3-20.’
And Melissa Gorga shared several images with the caption: ‘Heaven just got another angel You’ve been the only Dad I’ve known for the past 16 years. You were such an incredible man and such a loving Nonno.. they don’t make them like you anymore. Thank you for teaching my husband how to treat his wife the way you treated yours. Thank you for teaching me how to cook everything I make. Thank you for all the energy you’ve always brought everywhere you went. Run to your wife. She’s waiting for you❤️ RIP we will miss you forever.’
A big loss: Teresa’s brother Joe also had a sweet tribute for his dad. ‘I can’t believe he is gone,’ he began. ‘The world lost an amazing man human being today. He was exactly what a true father and husband should be’
A dad to her: And Melissa Gorga shared several images with the caption: ‘Heaven just got another angel You’ve been the only Dad I’ve known for the past 16 years’
A resemblance: And the star shared this very old photo of her father; it is easy to see where she got her facial features
Her hit show: Pictured: (l-r) Jennifer Aydin, Dolores Catania, Teresa Giudice, Andy Cohen, Margaret Josephs, Melissa Gorga, Jackie Goldschneider on RHONJ reunion
Teresa’s boss Andy Cohen tweeted: ‘So sad about Nono!!! He was a sweet patriarch to a wonderful family and a mainstay of #RHONJ. Sending all my love to @Teresa_Giudice @joegorga and the whole family.’
On Thursday she asked for prayers.
‘At this trying time I’m graciously asking for any extra prayers, good vibes, love….please send my father’s way,’ Teresa wrote in the post.
She showed an image of her dad with her four daughters (Gia, 19, Gabriella, 15, Milania, 14, and Audriana, 10).
‘My father is struggling and my girls and I need him, we need his love, his presence [and] his strength.’
Last year he was in the hospital.
Teresa opened up to The Daily Dish in 2018 about the precautions she and her family have taken around Nonno after he came to live with her following the passing of his wife and Teresa’s mother, Antonia Gorga, in 2017.
‘That’s the thing, none of us can be sick around him because he catches it right away. We’re constantly always washing our hands,’ Teresa shared. ‘Like when you have a baby and you make sure everything’s clean, that’s how you have to be with him because he gets sick easily.’
Saying goodbye: Teresa’s daughter Gia shared her own remember of her grandfather on Instagram. ‘today I lost my best friend but gained a beautiful guardian angel that will look over me forever’