POPULAR Italian restaurant owner Mario Romano left a fortune of almost £4 million.

The restaurateur was the father of the TV presenter Carla Romano and the father-in-law of former Rangers and AC Milan footballer Rino Gattuso. He died aged 71 in November 2011.

He was also known as the grandpapa of Glasgow's Italian restaurant industry.

Mr Romano moved to Scotland as a teenager, and during his career he owned 36 restaurants in and around the city.

His recently published will shows he had an estate worth £3,912,655 at the time of his death. He left the estate entirely to his wife Pina.

His wealth included more than £2.6m of shares in his own company, an investment portfolio worth almost £500,000 and personal effects valued at about £25,000.

He also jointly owned a £1.3m villa in Sorrento in Italy with his wife.

Mr Romano passed away at his home in Glasgow's south side after a long battle with cancer. His funeral at St Joseph's Church in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, was attended by about 350 people.

The mourners included Ultimo bra tycoon Michelle Mone, comedian Andy Cameron and former Glasgow Lord Provost Alex Mosson. Former Rangers manager Walter Smith and former Celtic bosses Billy McNeill and David Hay were also among those paying their respects.

Former midfielder Gattuso, who is married to Mario's daughter Monica, helped carry his coffin from the church, along with his son Ciro.

Former GMTV Los Angeles correspondent Carla struggled to hold back tears as she gave a reading, while Ciro also paid tribute to his father during the service.

He said: "He came here as a 13-year-old dishwasher from Naples and became the man that brought authentic Italian cuisine to Scotland.

"He was a successful businessman but that was because he was a successful son, a successful father, a successful husband, a successful boss and a successful friend."

Mario's first Scottish restaurant was named Sorrento, which he opened in Buchanan Street after buying the building in 1963.

He has also owned the popular Spaghetti House on Sauchiehall Street, Bath Street's O Sole Mio, and Mediterraneo in the Merchant City.

Following his death, AC Milan posted a special tribute on their website.

It read: "Mario Romano has passed away. Great Milan fan and father-in-law of Rino Gattuso.

"Our most sincere condolences to Rino and Monica from all Rossoneri."