Charles Anthony "Skip" Romano

Charles Anthony "Skip" Romano, 75, of Naples, Florida, died February 12, 2019, of Lewy Body Dementia, at Vitas Hospice in Naples. He was born July 22, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan.

Skip was a 1961 graduate of South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores, MI. He met and married the love of his life, Catherine C. Payne, in 1963, enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably as Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Security Service as a Morse Intercept Operator. His service took him to three states, including two years in Anchorage, Alaska where he and Catherine braved the March 27, 1964 earthquake measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale--still the most powerful earthquake in American history.

After four years of service, he returned to Michigan with his growing family and transitioned into civilian life working for Michigan Bell Telephone, later managing several Lum's restaurants in Detroit, and finally finding his niche at Chrysler Corporation, where he retired as Food Services Director for North America at the corporate headquarters in Auburn Hills. One of his proudest corporate achievements was partnering with Forgotten Harvest, a charitable organization that assists in the battle against hunger and food insecurity for residents in the Detroit area.

Throughout his life, Skip was an avid athlete and Detroit sports fan. He attended several games of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings. He and Catherine especially loved watching the Red Wings together. Skip also played several sports: softball, racquetball, golf, hockey, downhill skiing and notably tennis. As a twenty-seven year resident of Pinckney, Michigan, Skip fully embraced small town life. He met many lifelong friends in Pinckney through his four children who graduated high school there, and through his community involvement. A natural stage presence, he acted in the very first production at the Jane Tasch Theater, and several plays thereafter. Skip spent ten years as a volunteer member of Mt. Brighton's Ski Patrol, where he cultivated lifelong friendships while keeping the slopes safe. After retiring to Naples, he continued his passion for tennis, playing on and captaining 35 winning teams over fourteen years. His favorite place to play was on his home courts at Island Walk. Skip's love of sports was an avenue to show his true self: his love of adventure, natural athleticism, quick wit and sense of humor, and his capacity to share joy and laughter with others.

Skip's devotion to his family was always foremost in his life and he beamed with pride as he shared anything about his children and grandchildren. He loved making others laugh, telling long elaborate jokes, and had an infinite supply of puns. His easy laughter and love of family was a constant in his life and he cherished time spent with family. Skip was fond of working hard, being on time, playing by the rules, was honest and true in all things, and lived his life believing that things would always work out. His positive attitude and easy-going nature served him well, and was an inspiration to those who knew him best.

He is survived by his wife Catherine C. Payne, of 55 years, four children: David Romano of Pinckney, MI, Lisa Romano (Steve Kendall) of Hartland, MI, Maria Romano of Jupiter, FL, and Robert Romano (Anna Krushelnitskaya) of Ann Arbor, MI, eight grandchildren: Sara, Alexander, Kayla, Olivia, Nadia, Arina, Margaret and Andrei, as well as many extended family and friends in Michigan and Florida.

Skip was predeceased by his parents, Ellenrose (Gelisse) Baerle, Anthony Joseph Romano, and sister Judith (Romano) Donato.

Even before his diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, Skip made arrangements to donate his body to science (ScienceCare.com) so others might benefit from body science research. He navigated his disease with grace and humor to the end. Lewy Body Dementia did not define his life: it merely ended it too soon. Information is available through LBDA.org.

Donations are suggested in Skip's name to Naples Senior Center, Respite Care Program at JFCS in Naples, Florida, and Alzheimer's Support Network, Naples, Florida. Both organizations are invaluable in providing education, respite care and support for families navigating dementia.

Skip Romano's family will hold a memorial celebration of his life in summer 2019 in Michigan.