John Romano

John Romano, Beloved Husband and Father

John Romano, age 78, died peacefully at home on his 53rd anniversary with his wife and children at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Marie Romano, and sister, Josephine Dercola. He was survived and will be missed by his wife Mary Rahhal Romano, daughter Danielle (Gene) Parrill, son Jean-Luc Romano, grandsons Jayden Parrill and Zackary Parrill, and nephews Ray (Maria) Dercola, Richard Dercola, and Michael (Adrienne) Dercola.

Born in the Bronx, New York, he attended Stuyvesant High School and New York University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Languages and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He continued his classical studies at Indiana University where he earned his Master's Degree. He taught Greek and Latin at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he met his lovely wife Mary, who was a French professor at DePauw. Always wanting to learn new things, he and Mary moved to Tours, France, where he studied French. After only six months of study, he returned to Indiana University to work on his Master's Degree in French. He received Christ in 1969 and became fervent in sharing his faith in Jesus. He and Mary joined CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) in 1970 and served the Lord at Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, Lyon, France, and Rome, Italy.

He and his family returned to the United States in 1984 where they served in CRU in Denver, Colorado, until their retirement in 2009.

John loved his family and God above all. He was a devoted father and husband and spent many hours with his children and grandchildren. He loved nature and went camping and hiking with his family many times in the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, and the Canyonlands in Utah.

He loved animals and is remembered by his presentations of his numerous pet snakes, educating and thrilling his audiences. He had three dogs: his beloved German Shepherd Shep who was like a brother to him in his youth, his Labradoodle Toby whom he adopted in Rome and brought to Denver with the family, and his adorable Toy Poodle Honey Bun who charms and loves everyone.

John was very creative and built mobiles inspired by Alexander Calder. He also drew, painted, and made mosaics. John loved music and played the guitar, ukulele, and flute. He loved to travel and visited Egypt, Greece, Italy, Sicily, France, Germany, England, Finland, and Mexico, among others. John was funny and charming and loved learning, teaching, and telling stories to anyone who would listen to him.

His life touched many friends and family and he will be missed by all.


A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 11:00am at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 8035 S. Quebec St., Centennial, CO 80112.

Immediately following the mass, John's cremains will be laid to rest at a graveside service in Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial, CO 80121.