Condolences

John and Family,
My condolences to you Obn the passing of an amazing man, your father. We will always remember what he did for us when we visited his casino in Puerto Rico years ago. It was an unexpected and amazing experience which he didn’t have to do but did because he was truly a “giving man” ! He left a mark in this community and elsewhere that will live forever. May your Dad Rest In Peace !

Please accept our sincere sympathy during this difficult time!
Emil and Janet Benzo-Paparella

My sincere condolences!

Dear Romano Families and others Mr. Romano cherished, I am deeply saddened by your loss. For over fifty years I was blessed to know and work often for Mr. Romano. He possessed many beautiful qualities, endearing him to me as he was to all of you. He was always kind and generous in his dealings with me. I hope your memories bring comfort and soften the pain of your loss. Gene will live again and be reunited with his loved ones, never having to part again in God’s kingdom on earth that will soon replace all suffering with everlasting peace and security. Rev 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Sending my love prayers and every good wish.
Kerns Laurie

I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Mr. Romano. I was his housekeeper for a little while back in early to mid 90's and I so enjoyed our conversation whenever I would happen to find him at home before running down to the office. He was such a delight in his advice and stories he would share. I was a younger woman at that time and eventually moved on in my career choice, but always kept him close in heart. I was actually very happy to run into him a few years ago at the Ambassador while having dinner. There are very few men or women who have accomplished such success in every spectrum of life as he had; whether it be in business, humanity, compassion, community, family or friends. I am and have always been so proud to have known him, if only for a little while. May he rest in peace, and may God bless you all, his family and friends, with comfort and peace; for it is better to have loved and lost, than to never have known at all this wonderful man.

John, Jackie, and family,

We are very sorry for your loss, and are praying that God will give you comfort, hope, peace, and strength during this time of grief and always.

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Tom & Nadine

Dear John and the Entire Romano Family,

Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Please know that your friends in the North are thinking of you during this most difficult time.

Sincerely,
WATERAX Family

Clearly Gene Romano left an indelible mark on everyone and everything he interacted with and the New Hartford Public Library (NHPL), as one of his legions of beneficiaries, is no exception. The NHPL is what it is today in large part due to his generous support at a time when we needed it most. It is often said that the most enduring evidence of a life well lived are the accomplishments that outlive you. Gene’s life epitomizes this idea as he is going to be long remembered for many things and the NHPL is just one of them. Everyone the library serves owes him a debt of gratitude. Families and patrons of our library will continue to benefit from the results of his timely support for decades to come. On behalf of the NHPL our condolences go out to his family for their loss along with our sincere gratitude for all that he and his family have done for us and this community over the years.
Jay Winn, President
NHPL Board of Trustees

Clearly Gene Romano left an indelible mark on everyone and everything he interacted with and the New Hartford Public Library (NHPL), as one of his legions of beneficiaries, is no exception. The NHPL is what it is today in large part due to his generous support at a time when we needed it most. It is often said that the most enduring evidence of a life well lived are the accomplishments that outlive you. Gene’s life epitomizes this idea as he is going to be long remembered for many things and the NHPL is just one of them. Everyone the library serves owes him a debt of gratitude. Families and patrons of our library will continue to benefit from the results of his timely support for decades to come. On behalf of the NHPL our condolences go out to his family for their loss along with our sincere gratitude for all that he and his family have done for us and this community over the years.
Jay Winn, President
NHPL Board of Trustees

We mourn the passing of a pillar in our community whose genius and generosity have impacted multitudes. When I first met Gene almost 25 years ago I asked him to consider donating a building he was selling on Lafayette St in Utica. I presented him a vision of serving the needy, refugees and the less fortunate in our region through a new organization we would start called Compassion Coalition.
Gene quickly responded that he would sell the building to us for $1 (which he would donate!)
We began humbly in 2000 and have grown immensely over the last 23 years now serving hundreds of thousands of people regionally, nationally and globally. Every year Gene would send us a donation encouraging us in our work.
A few years ago we reached a milestone of giving away over $100 Million in goods through Compassion and did a gala to honor Gene for his generosity that has impacted so many.

Proverbs 19:17…If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!

God bless you Gene for all you've done your kindness lives on!

Pastor Mike Servello Sr

The formerly Ambassador Plaza Hotel
And Casino looses a great friend and mentor. We, the ones that worked with Eugene F Romano
Since the hotel was the number one among the corporate Howard Johnson’s, can give him credit for his leadership. But also for his kindness, his humbleness and his great sense of humor. Rest In Peace my dear friend.

This obituary is awe inspiring . When attending, working and teaching at Utica College, I often wondered about the Romano name on the Science and Technology Center. When I walk through the cemetery and see the Romano site, I am curious. After reading Francis' obituary, I realize this man was phenomenal in his inventions, contributions and altruism. His philanthropy is so generous and widespread. He sounds like a truly amazing man with many relatives and friends. My condolences to these people. On a personal note, I know grief well and can offer that in my experience, it comes in waves and the best reaction we can have is face it, feel it and allow it to pass until the next time. I have also received signs from departed loved ones, which has also been a great consolation. Whatever we believe, they are always with us in our hearts.

I join you and entire community in mourning the loss of Gene and celebrating his dynamic life…there was never a time in my life, that there wasn’t a Gene. He wasn’t just my Dad’s brilliant best friend..he was the original Renaissance Man….For me, no matter when..whether 5 yrs old or 50, he always made time... he did for so many. He inspired us to give back to the community with his belief in education, and youth oriented charities. His philanthropy leaves a mark that will be long lasting, and like Gene, impactful. But his biggest priority was his family., and his love was endless. You are all the legacy. What a guy! May his memory be eternal.

Our world is a lesser place without Gene. My sincerest sympathies to Linda, Russ, John and Jackie and the entire family.