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Anthony Romano Obituary
Born in Enfield, he was a son of Anna (Strycharz) Romano and the late Fred T. Romano. He was a lifelong resident of the Enfield community and a faithful communicant of Holy Family Church. As a high school History teacher for 35 years and the Enfield Parks and Recreation Department's Director of Summer Programs for 40 years, Tony was a positive influence on the many young people who were lucky enough to be in his classroom or involved in his programs. He retired from the Granby Memorial High School, where he also coached the boy's basketball team for many years. Tony also served as the Enfield regional director of the Slamma Jamma Camps. He was an accomplished athlete in his own right as a four- year basketball standout at Enfield High School, leading them to the Valley Wheel League Championships in 1955, '56 and '57. He was named to the league's all-star team in 1956 and '57 and was the league's top scorer and rebounder. Tony went on to play at AIC (1957-59) and at Eastern Connecticut State University (1962-62) where he broke the ECSU school record for points in a season with 589 in '61–'62 and led the nation (NAIA) in '62-'63 in rebounding, averaging 23.1 per game. He was inducted into the Enfield Hall of Fame and is also a member of the ECSU Hall of Fame and the New England Hall of Fame. Tony was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the NFL Cleveland Browns.
His family extends their sincere thanks to Dr. Younus Masih, his staff nurse, Karen and all his office staff, for their care and concern that helped to provide him the gift of life for the past several years.
In addition to Judie, his devoted wife of 43 years, and his mother, Anna, Tony is survived by his loving son, Anthony Romano Jr.; his three adoring grandsons, Tony, Boomer, and Nico Romano; his brother, Fred Romano and his wife, Mary Lou; two nieces and a nephew, Emily Bull and her husband, Dan, Matthew Romano and Valerie Romano, and a sister-in-law, Gerry Hamerstrom, all of Enfield. Tony's beloved daughter, Amy Louise Romano, predeceased him in 2007.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, April 30, at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in the St. Patrick's King Street Cemetery, Enfield.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, Tony's family has suggested that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial donations to the Amy Romano Memorial Fund, c/o Tobacco Valley Teachers' Credit Union, 182 South Rd., Enfield, CT 06082.
Leete–Stevens Enfield Chapels is assisting Tony's family with the funeral arrangements.
For online expressions of sympathy, or directions, please visit:
www.leetestevens.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Romano
Patti Makaravitz-Oleksak
May 29, 2008
So sorry to hear of Mr. Romano's passing. He was a wonderful teacher and a memorable person. Class of '74
May 22, 2008
Dear Mrs Romano Kristina and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family.,. Connie & Kristina
Dawn Fredo (Tipton)
May 9, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many here in Granby are with you at this time of sorrow. I was part of the class of 1986 and I remember Mr. Romano as one of the best teachers! He always had a smile and words of encouragement for you. He will be missed, but the lessons he taught will live forever.
Bob Bazyk
May 5, 2008
Dear Judie and Family,
We are all deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Coach Tony was a great man in so many ways. He was kind, he was understanding, he was gentle and yet one of the toughest men I have ever known. God be with you Tony, until we meet again. The great lesson in life that he taught me was this. “No matter how big, strong, fast or smart you are, there’s always going to be someone bigger, stronger, faster and smarter, and to be successful, you must be prepared for all possibilities and all occasions”. I have lived by that advice for the past 38 years and it has brought much success, peace and happiness to my life. I think you know how I felt about him. It was an honor to be able to speak at his retirement dinner a few years back. Thank you for caring for him. He cared so deeply for so many, even those who really didn’t know him as we did. He lives…in the hearts and minds of thousands of his fans, students and athletes. Trying to get by him on a pick was an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. May the Lord’s choicest blessings always be with you and with your family. "Z" GMHS Class of '72.
Jayne (Adams) Marquit
May 2, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Romano's passing. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of his family. I graduated in 1972 and he was absolutely my favorite teacher at Granby High School. His kindness and warmth as a teacher taught me a love of history and a passion for teaching. I feel blessed to have been in his classroom so many years ago.
Nancy Gregson
May 2, 2008
Judie, I am sorry to hear of Tony's passing. Just last week I was remembering some of the great times we had together. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer (Thomas) Johnson
May 2, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Romano's passing. His family is in my prayers. He was a wonderful and patient teacher. I will always remember his kindness.
Lou & Fran D'Amato
May 1, 2008
To the entire Romano family
I had the pleasure of playing softball with Tony many years ago. We pitched on the same team. His father Fred was my Godfather since he and my dad were very close friends.Tony will be missed. Keep the good memories close to you. Our hearts go out to you all.
Stephanie Whitehead
May 1, 2008
To the Romano Family: On behalf of the former students that had Mr. Romano we are deeply saddened by his passing. He was a great teacher and made learning fun. He was always fair and listened. I was class of "93.
I learned of his passing through a myspace page where ALOT of former Granby students have all reunited and this was posted to notify all of what occurred. I just wanted you to know that ALL of our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Carol (King) Joyce
May 1, 2008
Dear Mrs. Romano and Anthony,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Teresa (Thomas) D'Amato
May 1, 2008
I was so sad to hear of Mr Romano's passing. He was my favorite teacher in high school. I will always remember his kindness and his ability to relate to teenagers.
Rosemary Sullivan
May 1, 2008
Judie and Anthony,
I am saddened you have lost your husband and father...he was a wonderful, caring and loving man. Keep his memories as close as you keep Amy's memories. The love of family and friends supports you both, even from New Hampshire.
Andy Walcott
April 30, 2008
I had Mr. Romano as a teacher in high school and remember him as so nice and laid-back in and out of class. Our prayers are with him and your family.
Donna Misaiko
April 30, 2008
Judie, Anthony, and boys:
My sincere sympathy for the loss
of your loved one. You are all in
my prayers.
Bert Nussbaum
April 30, 2008
Judie;
So sorry to hear of Tony's passing - what great memories I have of him at WSC - a super guy and very much respected by all who knew him - my sincerest condolences to you and your family - his memory will always bring a smile to my heart.
Angela Sposito
April 30, 2008
Dear Judi,
My sincere sympanthy on your loss of Tony. My prayers go out to your entire family. I know it will be a great loss.
Margaret & Gil Nadeau
April 30, 2008
Judie, We were so sorry to read of Tony's death. Gil has many fond memories of playing basketball with Tony over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Maxine and Bill Schortman
April 30, 2008
Dear Judi and family,
Bill and I were both saddened to read of Tony's passing. He has been through a lot as well as your whole family. Thank God for the good memories to hold on to. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tammy Tobey Welch
April 30, 2008
The Romano Family ~
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Bill Percival
April 30, 2008
The Romano Family,
Those of us who played basketball for Coach Romano received from him the kind of sports experience that we now all want for our kids; an experience filled with locker room camaraderie, and good natured, (but serious), competitiveness, and memories of successes and failures. …..and a Coach. The experience needs a Coach, one who is larger than life, and who in one minute can flash an almost conspiratorial grin that says, “hey, aren’t we having some fun here?” and in the next produce a menacing glare that says, “hey, would you like to see tomorrow?” This Coach knows the mind of a 17 year old boy, and establishes firm but flexible boundaries for behavior. (I think our 1978 team worked hard to determine exactly where Tony’s lay, and just how flexible they were). This Coach lets his players know that they are people that he cares about. And this Coach teaches his players lessons about working to be good at something worthwhile, and a profound sense that athletics, (and especially basketball), is worthwhile.
Coach Romano must have had this experience, and he wanted to pass it on….to give it to us. As far as I am concerned, he can check that off his list. I still love to play basketball. I still appreciate the little things like a pick and roll, a good box-out, and an interior pass. I still like to (occasionally) make the right decision, to play with patience, to execute. But really, I just like to play. Thanks for that, Coach.
Barbara Scavotto-Earley
April 30, 2008
Tony and I met when I was working with the Enfield Park and Rec. Dept. during my college years. Whenever Tony drove into the park with his "park mobile" filled with art and athletic supplies we rejoiced! He was always smiling and joking. Over the years, meeting and interacting with his lovely family has been pure joy.
Nancy Geaglone
April 30, 2008
Judie and Ant.....
Just wanted you to know how much I loved Tony and that he was a role model to me. He will be deeply missed. My love and prayers are with you both.
Dave Hamilton
April 30, 2008
I am deeply sorry to here of the loss of Mr. Romano. I was a student of his from the Granby class of '89. He was a teacher that was respected and look up to by many in the school. There wasn't a student that could say a bad thing about "the big ragoo" as we all called him. He will be dearly missed.
Don & Nettie Pond
April 30, 2008
Judie & Anthony,
We can't express our sorrow at Tony's passing. You have been through so much in the past 15 months & your world has been turned upside down. Tony will be greatly missed as Amy is. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your faith and fond memories of Tony & Amy give you strength.
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