John Romano

John J. Romano, Jr. of Cheshire passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord on July 12, 2009 after a courageous battle with Progressive Supranuculear Palsy. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Tracchio) Romano.

John was born October 27, 1930 in Bound Brook, NJ he was the son of the late John J. Sr. and Susie (Buono) Romano. He attended Rutgers University with Chemistry Major and received his undergraduate degree in Music from Southeastern Louisiana College in 1952, and went onto receive a Masters of Music Degree from Northwestern in 1954, an Advanced Studies in Music from New York University in 1960, and then was granted a Doctor of Music Education from Colombia University in 1968. During the Korean War, John served with the 3rd Army Band. Dr. Romano taught music in New Jersey and then came to Southern Connecticut State University as a full professor, conducting The Marching Band and coaching the tennis team. He also directed the music program at Notre Dame High School of West Haven, St. Bridget's in Cheshire and Sacret Heart Academy in Hamden. Throughout his career, Dr. Romano played in various symphony orchestras, both in New Jersey and Connecticut, and was the Assitant Principal Clairnet player with the New Haven Symphony, conducted chorus and musicals for local community groups in Cheshire and Orange, played with the Connecticut Saxophone Quartet and was a member of MENSA. He was also a member of many area Big Bands and Orchestras. Music was his life and he shared that gift with many and was a well respected member of the musical community. He was a communicant of St. Bridget's Church, and in his spare time was a private pilot, and tennis pro at area country clubs.

Besides his wife John is survived by three sons John J. III and his wife Amanda Romano of Virginia Beach, VA, James L. and his wife Deborah Romano of Cheshire, and David M. Romano and his fiancee Julia Miller of NY, three daughters Lisa J. and her husband William Sarris of Hamden, Denise M. Romano of Bethany, and Lori A. and her husband Albert Mastrobuoni of Bethany, a brother Vincent J. and his wife Clare of Sun Lakes, AZ, a step daughter Christine T. and her husband Kyle Sarojak of Cheshire, a step son Matthew A. and his wife Colleen Oxsalida of Bay Village, OH, fifteen grandchilren, Jaime L. and her husband Kevin McMahon, Noelle S. Sarris and her fiancee Casey Russell, Stefanie L. and her husband Brett Runlett, Jon Patrick Sarris, Brett M. Dahlgard, Adam C. Dahlgard, Alex J. Dahlgard, Alexa N. Mastrobuoni, Tyler K. Romano, Meredith P. Romano, Taylor R. Sarojak, Annabelle M. Sarojak, Eric M. Oxsalida, Leah R. Oxsalida and Eve T. Oxsalida, great grandchildren Ryan and Avery McMahon, and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. John was predeceased by his first wife and cherished mother of his children, Patricia Marcotte Romano.

Arrangements- A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:15 A.M from The Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street, Cheshire to St. Bridget's Church for mass at 12 P.M. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Bridget's Cemetery, Cheshire. Calling Hours will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2009 from 5 to 8 P.M at the funeral home. Donations in John's name may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.