DR. ANTHONY J. ROMITO

1922 - 2018

DR. ANTHONY J ROMITO Dr. Anthony J. Romito, 95, Overland Park, KS, passed away May 10, 2018. Anthony was born in St. Louis, MO on July 17, 1922, the eldest of four children born to Charles and Rose (Luppino) Romito. He knew hard work from a very early age, having taken a job doing manual labor after graduating from grade school at the age of 13. Times were tough then; the Depression was at its peak and the year was 1936. In 1943, at the age of 21, Anthony volunteered for active duty in the Army Air Force where he served until the end of World War II, after which he enrolled in St. Louis University under the GI bill, majoring in Chemistry. He then accepted a position with a large Eastern chemical company, Merck & Company, serving as the company's representative in Central Illinois for many years. In December of 1953, Anthony received a promotion, which required a move to the Kansas City area. While attending St. Louis University in 1948, Anthony met the best friend he would ever have, Wilma Masters, whom he married on December 11, 1948. The marriage proved beyond compatible despite the fact that Tony and Wilma came from widely diverse backgrounds. In 1959, Anthony Romito reluctantly left his beloved Merck & Company to pursue his childhood dream to become a physician, and at the age of 37, he enrolled as a first year student at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, graduating in 1963. He opened his office on Troost Avenue, close to Baptist Hospital and Menorah Medical Center where he did general medical practice until retiring in June 1995. Dr. Romito enjoyed many hobbies including flying his plane, playing tennis, and SCUBA diving. Dr. Romito was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Romito, his parents, his sisters Margaret and Vera, and his daughter-in-law Dr. Cynthia Romito. Survivors include his son Dr. John Romito, four beautiful grandchildren: Diana Miller (Mark), Natalie Freeman (Douglas), Nick Romito (Shannon) and Marc Romito (Jennifer), 13 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud. He is also survived by his brother John C. Romito. Visitation will be 930-11AM, with Mass of Christian burial at 11AM, Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd.; entombment in Prince of Peace Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery of Lenexa. The family requests no flowers but suggest memorial donations be made to Catholic Charities. Arr: Park Lawn Funeral Home 816-523-1234