Eugene Raymond Romano

Eugene Raymond Romano died July 2, 2015, of congestive heart failure at his family home in Eastport, where he had been lovingly cared for by his daughter Yvonne. He was 95. 

Mr. Romano was born Feb. 16, 1920, in the Village of Lakeview, in the Town of Hempstead, to Grace (Guineer) and Salvatore Romano. In 1927 he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. His parents bought a cottage on Red Creek in Hampton Bays so he could be treated with fresh air and sunshine.

As a young man, his skill playing the drums led to an offer to tour with Artie Shaw’s Orchestra.

In 1942 he married Anita Wachtel, born in Washington Heights, N.Y. While he served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1944 to 1946, he was stationed in the U.S. and his wife and two sons, Dennis and Eugene, Jr., lived on Red Creek. After his discharge, he worked as a machinist at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale.

During the 1950s, Mr. Romano built moderate-income homes in Flanders, Riverhead, and Westhampton Beach. Mrs. Romano acquired a real estate license to assist her husband in the sale of the homes.

In 1963, Mr. Romano, his wife, and six daughters moved to Beach Lane in Westhampton Beach. His two sons had entered the military.

He attended Suffolk Community College and became building inspector for the Village of Southampton in 1966. At retirement, Mr. Romano was building and fire inspector for the village.

Mr. Romano was an avid pilot, golfer, and a member of Southampton Golf Club. He wintered in Jensen Beach, Fla., and maintained a residence in Southampton for many years.

He is predeceased by his ex-wife, Anita; his partner of 25 years, Kathleen Pike of Southampton; and his son Eugene of Pennsylvania. Mr. Romano is survived by his son Dennis and six daughters, Linda, Nancy, Anita, Andrea, Catherine, and Yvonne; as well as 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren, all of whom appreciated his wonderful sense of humor.

A memorial Mass will take place Monday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at The Basilica Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary in Southampton. He will be interred at Calverton National Cemetery at a private service.

This is a paid notice.