Bernard E. Romanoski Sr.

COAL TOWNSHIP — Bernard E. Romanoski Sr., 85, of 1322 Center St., died at 6:44 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, following a brief illness and surgery.

Bernie was a lifelong resident of the Shamokin-Coal Township community.

Born on Aug. 25, 1922, he was a son of the late Pauline Augustinovage and Albert (Jaroma) Romanoski.

Bernie enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, rose to the rank of sergeant, served in both the North African and Italian campaigns of World War II, and earned a Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. He was honorably discharged in 1945.

He was a graduate of Coal Township High School and Mansfield State Teachers College, having earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in education.

Bernie began his employment in the Coal Township School District and subsequently the Shamokin Area School District serving in various positions, including administrative assistant, director of transportation, school disciplinarian, athletic director and attendance officer. He retired in 1986 after 33 years.

His affiliation with coal region sports was a prominent part of his life and spanned 70 years. His outstanding playing as tackle at Coal Township High School earned him all-state distinction. After World War II, he continued to play at the semi-pro level with the Anthracite Maroons.

His football coaching career began in 1949 at his beloved Coal Township High School, where as line coach he helped capture Eastern Conference titles in 1950 and 1955 and the Eastern Conference Southern Division titles in 1961 and 1964. His team's superior line play enabled many players to pursue outstanding careers at the collegiate level. His proudest athletic achievement was facilitating an athlete's opportunity to earn a degree of higher education.

He continued coaching at Shamokin High School until 1968, and during this time he coached football, basketball, baseball, track and golf.

As long-time Shamokin Area athletic director, he instituted many innovative ideas to advance athletic policy and improve facilities.

His love of athletics saw him sustain a 40-year career as a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association official. Certified in football, basketball and baseball, he worked numerous championship games in all three sports.

A lifelong promoter of high school sports, Bernie had a long career at both WISL and WETV, where his weekly shows provided a forum for coaches and community leaders.

Along with a cadre of coal region sport enthusiasts from the Shamokin-Mount Carmel area, Bernie helped breach the idea of bringing the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame to the Lower Anthracite region. A chapter in his name has been in existence since 1984.

His community service has touched all who reside in the Shamokin-Coal Township area. He has served with countless community-based organizations in numerous capacities to raise needed money for many causes. His most beloved causes included the Salvation Army, where he served as director; the American Heart Association; Shamokin Area Community Hospital; the Veteran's Association, and numerous radiothons and telethons he used to generate needed money for local charities.

Bernie was an unwavering promoter of both the Coal Township and Shamokin Area school districts at which he was proudly employed. Even unto his death, he remained active in many school activities, both academically and athletically.

He was an active member of Our Lady of Hope Church, Coal Township, where he served as altar server and usher.

He took particular enjoyment spending time with his family, and was instrumental in both inspiring and assisting his children and grandchildren in career advancement.

He never lost his love for sports, and enjoyed attending high school and collegiate sporting events with his many friends and former coaches.

He was married on April 12, 1947 to his beloved wife, Ruth (Evans) Romanoski. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Bernie Jr. and Linda Romanoski of Coal Township and David and MaryLee Romanoski of Shamokin; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Kevin Miller of Westminster, Md.; seven grandchildren, Deb Kulenguskey and her companion Sam Dascani, Michael Romanoski, Ryan Romanoski, Katie Romanoski, Lauren Miller, Andrea Miller and Justin Miller; a great-granddaughter, Abby Kulengusky, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John, and a sister, Anne.



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ROMANOSKI — Bernard E. Romanoski Sr., 85, of 1322 Center St., Coal Township. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Hope Church, First and Chestnut streets, Coal Township, with a parish priest presiding. Mass attendees are asked to meet at the church at 9:45 a.m. Burial with full military honors, provided by the Kulpmont American Legion, will follow Mass at All Saints Cemetery, Bear Gap. The viewing will be private and for family members only. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to James Kelley Funeral Home, 1001 West Arch Street at Maple Street, Coal Township. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bernie Romanoski Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 252, Shamokin 17872, to Our Lady of Hope Church, c/o 863 W. Chestnut St., Coal Township 17866, or to The Salvation Army, 1300 W. Spruce St., Coal Township 17866.