John Romano, 73, Norwalk RTC District D Chairman

NORWALK, Conn. — John Romano, a Norwalk Republican Party mover and shaker for many years, has passed away.

“Words are difficult right now…John was dedicated to the party & every life he touched. He was a strong force with a big heart & provided advice & guidance to so many ~ we will miss you John,” the Republican Town Committee said in an email.

His son, in a Facebook post yesterday, said Romano had recently been diagnosed with an illness and gone downhill quickly. He was expected to enter a hospice today.

Romano was 73. He was born July 31, 1948 and came to Norwalk in 1952, he said in a letter to former Mayor Richard Moccia. He has served on the Harbor Management Commission since Moccia appointed him in 2006 and in recent years has been its chairman. He has led the RTC District D Committee, hosting fundraisers at his house. He has also been a constable for years, winning reelection last fall.

An RTC webpage, a 2021 post, states:

“His roots run deep as a successful business owner with All American Custom Pools & Spas in Norwalk as well as his newest venture as a managing partner of Milford Sports Pub and Grill. John Romano owns several properties in Norwalk both residential and commercial.

“John attended Central Catholic High School and Sacred Heart University. He has been a long-serving member of the Norwalk Community and served on many boards and commissions such as Mayors Water Quality Committee and now on the Norwalk Harbor Commission as Chairman. He has been involved with many organizations such as Italian/American Police Society, Club Italia, Sons of Italy, St. Ann’s and the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. You will see John’s friendly face every year waving from his convertible at the Norwalk Memorial Day Parade proudly driving Norwalk veterans who served.

“John resides in Norwalk with his wife Nataliya and their daughter Nicole who is 12 years old. He has two other older children Roberto and Michael who he greatly enjoys spending time with.”

He also had a daughter named Jaye, who lives in Puerto Rico, former Norwalk Republican Town Committee Chairman Mark Suda said.

Mayor Harry Rilling said Romano was very passionate about the harbor and making sure the city did everything possible to protect it.

Norwalk Republican Town Committee Chairman Fred Wilms said:

“John had a big heart. He cared deeply about his family, his friends and Norwalk.

“John served the City in leadership positions for many years on both the Harbor Commission and the Republican Town Committee. He also ran a number of successful Norwalk businesses.

“I extend my sincere condolences to his entire family, and want to say that I am really going to miss him.”

“John was a great friend not only politically but personally,” Moccia said in an email. “Spent many hours on the water with him on his boat, he was a master seaman.  One of the reasons I appointed him to the Harbor Commission was because of his knowledge of the Norwalk Harbor.   He was also an astute businessman and employed local people in his pool business.   He also served his community in the political arena.  One thing about John, he did not suffer fools, and was not afraid to express his opinion, which he often did to me when I was in office.  The last time we were together for an extended period of time was at the Republican Convention in Cleveland when Trump was nominated.   I would see him occasionally at a state event, and he was always the same gregarious John.  I will miss him.  My sincere condolences his Wife and Children and all the members of his family.”

“My love and {affinity} for the Norwalk harbor started as a young man, whose family very much liked to avail themselves of the resources that the sound brought to us all as Norwalk Citizens,” Romano wrote to Moccia in 2006. “We loved … fishing and the use of the sound in boating and water recreation. My family and I have been boaters since the early 80’s, having graduated from humble beginnings with an 18′ ski boat to a 32′, then 40′. I have just recently donated our 50′ Sea Ray to the Nautical Sciences Foundation for the study of marine life. We will continue with a new boat purchase in the near future.”

Suda, in a Facebook post, called Romano an “amazing man” who “had one of the biggest hearts I knew.”

“Thank you for our many great talks over the years and the guidance and knowledge you not only taught me but instilled in me. You truly opened my eyes to many things and made me a better man. Keep that thumb up and keep that expresso machine warm for all your friends that will follow you to heaven one day,” Suda said.

“I’m deeply saddened by John’s sudden departure,” Common Council member Bryan Meek (R-District D) said in an email. “He was a force of nature with a big heart and I will miss him.  My heart breaks for the family who we are praying for in this difficult time.  His contributions and dedication to the Norwalk community through decades of selfless service are a testament to the type of person he was.  May God rest his soul.”

Updated, 2:50 p.m.: More information.