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The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Joe Gorga Reveals the Special Item From His Dad That His Son Gino Now Owns

Speaking about the item he gave Gino Gorga, RHONJ's Joe Gorga said that his son "wears it proud" in Nonno's honor.

By Shannon Raphael

More than four years after Giacinto Gorga (aka Nonno) passed awayJoe Gorga is sharing how he keeps his dad's memory alive. 

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Joe, who is the husband of The Real Housewives of New Jersey's Melissa Gorga, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram in honor of Nonno's birthday on September 8. In the process, he revealed that he gave his eldest son, Gino Gorga, Nonno's watch. 

"Happy birthday Nonno," Joe wrote alongside a photo that featured a throwback image of Nonno and Gino, as well as a current solo shot of Gino wearing a gold watch. "Named my son after you. Gave him your watch — he wears it proud... Two strong minded Virgos. We all Miss you."

Melissa shared a tribute of her own in the comments section.

"We miss you[,] Nonno," she wrote, along with a blue heart emoji. 

Gino Gorga's recent milestones

In addition to wearing his grandfather's special watch, Melissa and Joe's middle child (the couple also shares daughter Antonia Gorga and son Joey Gorga together) has recently reached a few major moments.

Gino Gorga gets his drivers license

During an episode of her podcast, On Display with Melissa Gorga, in early September the RHONJ cast member revealed that the high schooler was about to turn 17 and get his driver's license

"Gino gets his license in seven days, he turns 17 in seven days," she said. "We've been driving with him." 

However, the Envy by Melissa Gorga owner admitted that her son wasn't as talented of a driver as her daughter was. "She just had it," Melissa said on the podcast. "It was so easy for her."

Joe Gorga with his oldest son, Gino Gorga, at a restaurant together

Gino Gorga starts his junior year of high school

Gino also just went off for his first day of his junior year on September 5, and he's now joined in high school by his younger brother, Joey Gorga. 

"My boys," Melissa wrote on Instagram to commemorate her sons' first day of school. "Off to high school together for the 1st time. I love their bond and want them to stay like this forever..."

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Does Gino Gorga know where he wants to go to college?

Gino has officially embarked on the second half of his high school career but he hasn't considered where he wants to go to college yet. During an exclusive chat with The Daily Dish in June 2024, Melissa said that her son would start to think more about his next chapter during his junior year. 

"So maybe next year we'll start to discuss that with Gino, but not yet," she said. "He's just not sure yet."

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