Anthony Michael “Tony” Romano, age 86 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Monday, August 22, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, September 20, 1935, he was the only child of Anthony and Theresa Bosco Romano. Raised in Jersey City and graduating from Dickinson High School, he had resided in the Raritan Township area since 1961.

As an only child, hard work and family was instilled into Tony’s persona during his formative years. He was known to have a creative mind and was skilled in transforming those “ideas” into physical manifestations that helped everyone. From bird houses to large commercial projects, Tony’s ability was limitless.

From high school he would soon join the Hudson County Carpenter and Millwright Union, where his talent and ability immediately got him noticed. It was not long before he left the union and worked for several firms over his career as a Site Manager and Foreman for both residential and commercial construction projects. During his working years he was known as a manager who expected much from his team, but also one who always ensured that they and their families were well cared for; caring for others being a central theme that is woven throughout the tapestry of Tony’s life.

It was at a carnival in Hamilton Park in Jersey City where Tony’s world would change for the better in the early 1950’s. Working at the “Duck Pond” booth, a young Ms. Rose Panzino would come to take her turn and, as she would lovingly state over the years, won the ultimate “booby prize”! The pair became inseparable, joining hands in holy matrimony on October 7, 1956, at Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City.

Their union would bring them two children, Michael and Carol Ann, each of whom were the light of their father’s world. Growing up as an only child allowed Tony to see family in a unique and special way and to realize the value of staying close-knit and being there for one another in all ways. He was so proud of his children and always encouraged them to follow their dreams. Tony was elated that each found their life partner and never referred to their spouses as “in-laws”, but rather told everyone that he just gained another daughter and another son. The next generation made him equally proud, and he was so excited to be there for his grandchildren in each of their endeavors, and to watch them grow up to be the best version of themselves.

An avid hunter, fisherman, and overall conscientious outdoorsman, Tony loved animals and animals loved him. He greatly enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels, and respected nature in all her forms. A longtime member of the New Liberty Rod and Gun Club, it was the club hunting trips to the far-away land of East Amwell Township that led Tony and Rose to buy property and move to Hunterdon County in 1961, in a home that Tony built from the ground up with his own hands; a house where he was proud to raise his family.

With the mindset that everyone was family, the Hunterdon County community became extremely important to Tony, and he wanted to assist however he was able. His ingenuity led him to the newly formed ‘Flemington Rescue Squad’, where he became intimately involved with helping others; from riding on the ambulance, learning and teaching vehicle extrication techniques, and helping with pancake breakfasts, Tony did it all. The loud screeching of the pager alarm going off helped instill in his young children a valuable life lesson of community activism. He would serve the squad as Captain (currently known in today’s department rankings as Chief) and was a Life Member. His physical labor will be forever remembered as he and John Toth built the main addition to the squad’s headquarters on Route 12 in Flemington.

Gardening was another activity in which Tony found enjoyment mostly because he was able to use his harvest to feed family and friends. If you truly knew Tony, you knew he was the first to the table and the last to leave. He enjoyed a good meal, but his real passion was the love that surrounded the table that came naturally with mealtime.

With all his activities, Tony still managed to find a way to amass a vast repertoire of knowledge which he loved to share and, “put another wrinkle in your brain”, as he would say, right before imparting a word of advice or a random fact. From historical tidbits, to fishing techniques, to family and urban legends, he was a master of it all. With all knowledge however, the most useful piece of wisdom he loved to impart was how to blow the biggest bubble, leaving a smile on the face of all who know his secret.

Though his life was shorter than anyone would have imagined, the legacy he leaves for all those who were touched by his heart would fill an infinite number of lifetimes. To honor Tony is to continue to care for what he cared for most: each other. Continue to treasure all the physical memories he built, share wisdom and advice freely, and teach compassion and understanding to the next generations.

Surviving, in addition to his cherished wife of sixty-five years, Rose, are his children and their spouses, Michael and Joann Romano and Carol Ann and Henry Grinbaum; his grandchildren, Michael Romano and his fiancé, David Thomas, Andrea Romano and her partner, Vincent Foglia, Ella Grinbaum, and Alec Grinbaum; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Anthony and Karen Panzino; his devoted caregiver for the past nine months, Petal Daley; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

All are invited to join the family for a gathering on Friday, August 26, 2022, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Station 49 Rescue ‘Last Call’ and Life Celebration Services officiated by Msgr. David I. Fulton will take place on Friday, August 26, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., and to which all are welcome.

Any emergency services organization sending apparatus are asked to send an email HERE for staging instructions.

Entombment will follow at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Tony’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 686, Flemington, NJ 08822, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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