Romeo Di Girolamo was born in Civitella Casanova, Italy in 1939 but moved to Quainton in 1949 with his family and late step-father, Mr E M D'Elia (ex-prisoner of war).

His leadership and artistic qualities were first recognised and encouraged by the late Mr A E Lawes, Headmaster of the village Church of England school where Romeo first won the Buckinghamshire Architectural Drawing Competition, at 13. He also became Head Boy and Sports Captain. At 14, bicycles were provided for pupils to attend Waddesdon C of E School for one year where Romeo's talent for sport and art continued to flourish, winning district and county honours in athletics, football and boxing as well as repeating his success in the Buckinghamshire Architectural Drawing Competition. He then went to High Wycombe School of Art, 1954-9, and was awarded the Buckinghamshire Art Scholarship for three years, a Royal Academy Travelling Scholarship and a Granada Theatres National Painting Prize.

Meanwhile his talent at sport was encouraged as the 16 year old centre forward for Aylesbury United football team had a spell back in Italy with Roma. Unfortunately, at 17, he broke his leg playing for Aylesbury United which ended serious sport playing. However, he successfully managed two football clubs and in the early seventies was elected Honorary Secretary and subsequently Chairman of the Anglo Italian Football Association.

Romeo went into teaching with the express intention of giving his students the best possible opportunities as had been given to him. He was Head of Art in Marlow, Slough (then in Buckinghamshire) and Wolverton when an opportunity arose at his old Alma Mater, Wycombe College. So he moved again. Following the transfer of the School of Art and Design into the new College of Amersham in 1972, Romeo progressed through the lecturing ranks to become Head of School of Art and Design at the very young age of 36. This was a very exciting period in the teaching of Art and Design in Buckinghamshire. It was under Romeo's leadership that the School of Art and Design went on to become so famous and influential that the Prime Minister of the day, Margaret Thatcher, invited Romeo to 10 Downing Street, entertained him and his students at Chequers and made an exclusive visit to the School of Art and Design.