Henry Romo

HENRY ROMO February 13, 1917 May 5, 2005 Henry Romo was a loving husband to Alicia Romo for 64 years and the father of five children, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Henry was born February 13, 1917 on Frio Street near the present-day UTSA Downtown Campus. Henry attended Lanier High School but left before graduation to help support his family. He operated a shoeshine stand near the Aztec Theatre, and, at age 19, went to work for Porter Poultry, located on the Eastside. While working there, he convinced his father, Benito, and his uncle, Martin Saenz, to purchase the business. Still, he had a deep appreciation for education and was determined to finish high school. Thus, while working for the newly established family business, he enrolled in day and night classes and graduated from San Antonio Tech. A year later, he married his sweetheart, Alicia Saenz, and they moved to the near West side. The following year, the Romos welcomed the addition of their first son, Henry, Jr. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Henry enlisted in the armed services and was sent to The University of Texas at Austin to study radio technology. Shortly before leaving for the Pacific War Zone, he received notice of the birth of his second son, Ricardo. Henry served in the 5th Air Force, which served as air cover for General MacArthur's retaking of the Philippines Islands from the Japanese Forces. Following the Armistice, Henry returned to San Antonio where he joined his wife Alicia in opening Romos' Quality Food Store. During the early years in the retail business, Henry and Alicia saw the birth of their daughter Mary Alice, and sons, Robert and Roger. Henry also cared about improving his community, and he was inspired by the civic activism of World War II veteran, Dr. Hector P. Garcia of Corpus Christi, founder and President of the American G.I. Forum. Dr. Garcia recruited Henry to help open a San Antonio chapter of the American G.I. Forum, and he often traveled with Dr. Garcia to open new chapters in small communities South of San Antonio. Henry served as the San Antonio Director of the G.I. Forum and also was elected Democratic Precinct Chairman in the Prospect Hill neighborhood. He enjoyed 'getting-out-the-vote' drives and was an early supporter of Henry B. Gonzales and Albert Pena. When Henry B. Gonzalez ran for Governor in 1958, Romo provided free rental space for Henry B's Guadalupe Street Westside campaign headquarters. Henry supported many other local political efforts, and especially enjoyed campaigning for his good friend, Albert Pena. In the 1960s, when the grocery business became highly competitive, the Romos closed their store after 25 successful years, and moved South to begin a new business venture, a Mexican restaurant which they named La Cabana. They enjoyed the restaurant business for over twenty-five years, and they made many friends from the surrounding communities near Pleasanton. The restaurant served excellent food, and as a result, they had a stream of steady customers. He and Alicia enjoyed restoring their late 19th century home on Monterey Street, and over the last decade, he was active in buying and fixing up older homes and renting them to families. Henry passed away on Thursday, May 5th surrounded by his wife and five children at St. Francis Nursing Home. His family is especially grateful to the health care and compassionate attention of Dr. Carlos Orozco, a longtime friend of the family. Visitation hours will be observed on Sunday, May 8th at The Angelus Funeral Home, 1119 N. St. Mary's Street from 2-7 pm, followed by a Rosary at 7 pm. A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on W. Commerce and Trinity St. at 10 am, Monday, May 9th. Graveside services will follow at San Fernando Cemetary No. 2, Castroville Road entrance. Arrangements by: The Angelus Funeral Home.