Fred Romeo

After 95 healthy years, Fred Romeo passed away after a brief illness on Sept. 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Fred was born Sept 3, 1930, in the picturesque mountain town of Ardore Superiore, Calabria, Italy. At the age of 16, Fred immigrated to Lorain, Ohio with his mother and sister, Antoinette, to join their father in 1947. After attending school in Lorain, Fred worked for 40 consecutive years at U.S. Steel; with the exception of two years, 1952-54, where he served in Europe in the U.S. Army.

Fred met the love of his life, Iolanda Iodice, of Marcianise, Italy, while she was in Lorain visiting her sister. They quickly fell in love, and were married on April 2, 1960, and enjoyed 65 magical years, being blessed with three sons, Carlo, Fred, and Rino. He had the good fortune of spending over 35 years in retirement, very active and in the best of health, as he continued to enjoy his hobbies, watching sports, listening to Italian music, watching Italian television, and sharing stories and fond memories of his childhood in Calabria. Throughout his life, he returned to Italy multiple times with his family, as well as traveled with them extensively throughout the United States.

Fred will always be remembered for his dedication to his family and friends, his clever sense of humor, and keen insights. His legacy is that he lived a long life of dignity and humility, serving as a role model to his family and others by the mere eloquence of his example.

He is survived by his beloved wife Iolanda (nee Iodice) Romeo; sons, Carlo (Beth) and Fred (Danny); devoted daughter-in-law, Amanda Romeo; grandchildren, Mitchell Romeo and Cecile (Chris) Donley; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Serena Romeo and Ava and Julian Donley; and many nephews, nieces, and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his deeply loved and missed wonderful son, Rino Romeo; his parents, Carlo and Maria (nee Bova) Romeo; brother, Dominic; and sisters, Concetta, Rosa, Caterina, Maria, and Antoinette. He had a famously close bond with his youngest sister, Antoinette Ricci, with whom he emigrated from Italy and lived near each other their entire lives until her own death, just a few months ago.

The family will receive friends at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain, OH (440) 244-1961 on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Closing prayers will be held at the funeral home at 10:20 AM on Thursday, October 2, 2025 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Peter's Parish, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH with Fr. Craig M. Hovanec, Pastor, officiating. Christian Entombment services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain with military honors by Amvets Post 32. Online donations may be sent using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.