HOUGHTON, Mich. — William A. “Bill” Romano, 79, of the Houghton Canal Road, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, with his family by his side.
He was born in South Range on July 31, 1934, to Joseph and Antoinette (Stimac) Romano. He was raised in South Range, and attended the local grade school and the Jeffers High School in Painesdale until he joined the U.S. Navy at age 17. Bill received his GED while serving in the Navy. He did his tour of duty during the Korean War, serving aboard the aircraft carriers USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, USS Midway and the USS Wasp.
When he returned from service in 1955, Bill went to work for his parents at the Cozy Corner Bar in South Range. He then moved to Ironwood to play hockey for the Ironwood Jets from 1956 to 1958. He returned back to South Range and continued to work for his parents.
On Aug. 22, 1959, he was married to the former Dolores P. Poggione at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Franklin Mine Location.
Bill later worked for the late Joseph Pastore Distributor in South Range, and continued to work along with his parents. He then went to work for the Bosch Brewing Co. in Houghton. Later, he purchased the Cozy Corner Bar in South Range, and retired from Bosch Brewery. After selling the Cozy Corner, he started Romano Distributing in South Range. In 1989, he and Dolores moved to Ironwood, where he purchased the Pabst Distributor. After three years, he sold the distributorship and purchased the Piave Club in Ironwood, which later became the Villa Romano Restaurant. He operated the restaurant for 17 years before returning to the Houghton area. Bill drove cars for Copper Country Ford until the time of his illness.
Bill was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range for most of his life and later became a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock, where he and his wife, Dolores attended Mass together.
Bill was a life member of Ranger Post 6165 VFW of South Range and a member of Fighter Squadron VFW 173. He served for nine years on the South Range Volunteer Fire Department, served on the board of directors at South Range State Bank, served on the South Range Village Council, the Adams Township School Board and was a charter member of the Isle Royale Boater’s Association.
Bill enjoyed being on his boat and going out to Isle Royale to go fishing. He also liked small game hunting. Some of his fondest memories were attending five Super Bowl games with his good friend, Dave Jukuri, and traveling with his wife, Dolores, around the country to attend his Navy reunions, which were held every three years.
Surviving are his wife, Dolores, of Houghton; one son, Joseph Romano, of Donken, and his son, William, who was Bill’s “special grandson;” one daughter, Sue Romano, of Hazel Park; two sisters, Barbara Romano Hiltunen, of Southfield, and Ann Marie Romano of Florida; two brothers-in-law, Peter (Pat) Poggione, of Hancock, and Joseph (Peggy) Poggione, of Portage; three sisters-in-law, Marie Richards, of Manitowoc, Wis., Celeste Gemignani, of Hancock, and Loretta Poggione, of Tucson, Ariz .; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his personal friends, Dave Jukuri and Bill Andreini.
Besides his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Marguerite “Margie” and James Parolini; his mother- and father-in-law, Peter and Minnie Poggione; brothers-in-law, Rudy Gemignani and Fred Richards; and a nephew, James “Jimmy Joe” Parolini.
Death leaves a heartache that nobody can heal. Love leaves memories that nobody can steal.
As requested by Bill, cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range, with the Rev. John Martignon as celebrant.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the church, where the rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass.
Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in South Range, with military rites conducted by Ranger Post 6165 VFW of South Range.
Arrangements are being handled by the Mountain View Mortuary of South Range, Antila Funeral Service Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.