Russell P. Romano, 78 of Batavia, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
He was born in Rochester, NY on June 30, 1946, a son of the late Rosario and Laura Formicola Romano.
Russ was a prominent fixture in the real estate industry for Batavia, Genesee County and surroundings, having worked for Nothnagle and Howard Hanna Real Estate Co.. Russ and his wife Gillian worked side by side for close to 50 years. He was a standout football player for Madison High School in Rochester, where he was named an All-American football player and later in life became inducted into the Section V Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Rhode Island on a football scholarship. Russ played for the Hamilton Tiger Cat’s of the Canadian Football League, but after an injury forced him out of football, he decided to take up another career choice.
For 20 years Russ was a Board Member for Genesee Community College Foundation and was one of the founders of the Genesee Cancer Assistance. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, deer hunting and fly fishing. In his younger years Russ was a steer wrestler who travelled through Canada and a stock car enthusiast at the Genesee County Race Track where he was proud to sponsor “Russ Romano Night”.
But the one trait he will be remembered for is his generosity to his community and “Larger than life” presence he had. Russ will be truly missed for his smile, conversation and knowledge of real estate.
Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Gillian Romano of Batavia. Children, Daniel Romano (Betsy) of Avon, Stephanie (Alex) Bakker of Webster, Dennis (Nancy) Warner of Batavia and Jill Marie (Scott) Armison of Florida. Grandchildren, Brandon, Cory, Ryan, Alyx, Maddy, John, Danielle, Nicholaas and Gianna.
Family and friends are cordially invited to share thoughts, condolences and fond memories on Monday (July 8th) from 3-8pm at the J. Leonard McAndrew Funeral Home, LLC, 2 Bogue Ave., Batavia, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to the Genesee Cancer Assistance, 127 North St, Batavia, NY 14020. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY 14020. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR.
