Michael F. Romano

Michael Francis Romano, 49, of West Hartford, died Wednesday March 18, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on June 28, 1959. Michael was a life long resident of West Hartford where he excelled in many sports. He was a proud graduate of Northwest Catholic High School. He was captain of the football team and earned All Conference and All State Honors. Michael was recruited by Colby College where he became captain of the football team. After graduating he played flag football for the town of East Hartford. He was an accomplished Martial Artist and founded the Center School of Martial Arts in West Hartford. There he was an inspiration and mentor to hundreds of students and their families. His passion for sports continued through his children's involvement in soccer, lacrosse, gymnastics and football. There was no place Michael would rather be than watching and supporting his children from the sidelines. Michael was an accomplished insurance executive at NEIS in Cheshire, CT for the past 10 years. He was the son of Ann Cosgrove Romano and the late Carmelo Romano and the grandson of the late Martin and Margaret Cosgrove and Rosario and Nina Romano. He was the beloved husband of Leslie D'Orsi Romano and the father of Stephanie 19, Kelly 15, Lauren 13 and DJ 5. He leaves behind his sister Patti McMahon and her husband the Hon. Kevin McMahon of Niantic, his loving mother-in-law Josephine and the late Lawrence D'Orsi who loved Michael as their own son. Michael is also survived by his loving in-laws Lawrence and Alicia D'Orsi, Gregory D'Orsi and Stephen and Denise Woodruff and his loving Uncle Francis and Aunt Marilyn Cosgrove whom he deeply cherished. Michael also leaves behind his nieces and nephews Bradley and Allison Woodruff and Matthew and Alexandra D'Orsi and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Leslie wishes to thank their many friends for all of their loving support and especially Michael's life long friend Seth Epstein. Funeral services will be Monday, March 23rd at 9:00am from the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of St. Timothy, 1116 North Main St, West Hartford. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. Calling hours will be Sunday, March 22nd from 4-7pm at Molloy Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Michael F. Romano Scholarship Fund c/o The Advancement Dept., Northwest Catholic High School, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Michael F. Romano

June 28, 1959 - March 18, 2009