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John N. Romano, Esq.
Yonkers - John N. Romano, Champion of the People, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2019, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on August 23, 1927, in North Versailles, PA. Raised in a cold water flat in the 7th Ward of Yonkers, he went on to become an important figure in the city's legal and Italian-American, Portuguese-American, and other cultural communities. With humility, John often noted that his first job was shining shoes as a boy to help provide for his family. World War II drew him into the Marine Corps at seventeen, and he went on to serve in China in 1945-46 during the close of WWII and the Chinese Civil War. His brothers, Joe and Anthony, also served; Joe was killed in the Battle of Saipan, and Anthony became permanently disabled while in the Naval Submarine Corp. John was a life-long member of the Armando Rauso AMVETS Post 40.
Upon returning home from China, John pursued his undergraduate and law degrees, graduating from New York University in 1949 and St. John's University Law School in 1952. In 1953, he married Mary Louise Meyer of Tuckahoe, a teacher. John and Mary Lou celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on July 4, 2019.
Throughout his legal career, John represented thousands of families from all walks of life. In 1959, he testified before the U.S. Senate's McClellan Committee Hearings and was questioned by the soon-to-be president, John F. Kennedy. His other prominent work included helping Holocaust survivors receive compensation, and serving as a NYS Judge Advocate of AMVETS and President of the Yonkers Board of Education in 1977. Most notably, he created and supported community organizations that helped others realize the American dream.
John's altruistic approach to practicing law improved the lives of thousands of Yonkers's families. John practiced our Lord's word, loving thy neighbor as thyself through his tireless commitment to his clients, regardless of their ability to pay. He practiced several areas of law and did his best to accommodate all who came through his office door. John's colleagues remember his zealous advocacy, rich personality, and tireless pursuit of justice.
John was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Yonkers. He dedicated a stained-glass window at the Church in honor of his brothers' Fourth Marine Division. John was proud of his Italian-American heritage and greatly appreciated Italian culture and cuisine, often by sharing a simple plate of pasta with family and friends. He and Mary Louise often traveled, starting with a honeymoon in Post-WWII Europe and subsequently visited much of the globe.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Louise Romano; six children: John (Celeste), Andrew (Nuhad), Ellen (Stephen) Dorr, Joseph, Daniel (Carla), and Amy (Brian) Silfer; and thirteen grandchildren. His sons Andrew, Joseph, and Daniel carry on his legacy as local attorneys. His oldest son, John Jr. of Baldwin N.Y., is a retired teacher and coach. After more than six decades, John retired from the practice of law last November at the age of 91. He loved and provided for his family and served his country and community with honor and integrity. He never forgot where he came from and was proud of being from Park Hill. He will be greatly missed but we are comforted knowing he is reunited with his mother, father, brothers, sisters, the Thursday Night Boys, and family dogs, Charlie, Margie, and Bailey.
The family will hold a service at the Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, NY, on Wednesday and Thursday from 2-8 PM. Funeral Mass at Mt. Carmel Church on Friday at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkers, Inc. Donations to Treasurer Anthony Maddalena, 13 Ann Marie Place, Yonkers NY 10703.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
My fondest memories of John go back to my childhood when my grandmother (Rose Aitoro) would take me to visit John's mother Virginia, who we always referred to as Comarre. She was a wonderful woman who raised wonderful children. John would come to visit his mother and as tough as he could be when being a champion for the people, that's how incredibly loving, gentle and respectful he became when he saw his mother and my grandmother Comarre Rose. He and my mother were playmates growing up. I am saddened by the loss of another example of the American dream well lived, and a champion of the Park Hill neighborhood. My deepest sympathies to the Romano family.
patricia Gasparre
September 2, 2019
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
September 2, 2019
How do you describe John N. Romano, Esq.?
YOU CANT.
No words on earth can describe John.
However, the Angels in Heaven can and would describe John N. Romano in this way:
God created Man in His image THAT describes John perfectly.
Those Angels are right! I should know. I worked with John for 15 years, when his law office was at 20 South Broadway. We kept in contact through all these years, by phone and mail, up until last month, July, 2019; We had a long talk, reminiscing as we usually did, and then he told me about his health.
When I got the phone call that John passed I was heartbroken. John was quite a man.
What the world has lost with John passing, Heaven has gained.
With the deepest love
Gloria Sheldone
Gloria Sheldone
Friend
August 17, 2019
I had the pleasure of knowing John for over twenty years at the Westchester Family Court He was always gracious and quiet funny. I will always remember our conversations at the Yonkers, New Rochelle And White Plains Courts. A fine lawyer and a World War hero.
God bless you John
Lee Seiden
August 14, 2019
Gaby Macaluso
[email protected]
Gaby Macaluso
Family
August 13, 2019
The Ciliberti family whom JOHN represented in all walks of life send there deepest sympathy to the family of John Romano .
James Ciliberti
August 12, 2019
My Sincerest Condolence To The Entire Romano Family Mr Romano Was A Great Man Whom I Respected Greatly !
Joe Trimarco
August 12, 2019
My Sincerest Condolence To The Entire Romano Family Mr Romano Was A Great Man Whom I Respected Greatly !
August 12, 2019
RIP John - I am proud to have witnessed the fervent and highly professional representation that you always gave to your clients in the practice of law. Your greatest legacy, of course, is your wonderful family and all they have given to the Yonkers community and beyond. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you and the family.
Hon. John R. La Cava
NYS Supreme Court Justice, Retired
John La Cava
August 11, 2019
My sincere condolences for your loss, all our loss. There will never be another Johnny, so caring and always asking for and about others, His smile and wit, his great love for his wife and family, will be missed, we all loved you. R.I.P.
Marianne Riti Lorenz
Marianne Riti Lorenz
August 11, 2019
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