It is with profound sadness that the family of Romano Taddeo announce his peaceful passing after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Romano was born on February 13, 1942, in Cantaloupo Italy. He emigrated to Canada, landing in Fort William in 1954 at the young age of 12. At the age of 20 he started his career at CN Rail and remained there until retiring at the age of 55.
He met the love of his life, Frances a few years shy of her 18th birthday. Every time he saw her, he would say, “come find me when you are 18”. They married shortly after mom turned 18 and the rest is almost 60 years of history. Together Romano and Fran raised 4 beautiful children, Romano, Sandy, Jeannie, and Kari. His absolute pride and joy were his 9 grandchildren, whom he never missed a chance to brag about to anyone who would listen. Within this recent year, if you had the opportunity to bump into Romano, chances are he was wearing his favorite sweatshirt which said, “My favorite people call me Papa”.
Romano is survived by his loving wife Frances (Melnik), his children Romano (Vicki), Sandy (Sheila), Jeannie Caruso (Ian), Kari Chiappetta (Sam) and his grandchildren Kevin and Kurtis Taddeo, Bronson and Danika Taddeo, Mitchell (Kim), Matthew and Justin Caruso, Nicholas, and Daniel Chiappetta. He is also survived by numerous extended family in Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Ontario and Montreal.
If you knew Romano, you knew he was a passionate man. His passion revolved around helping people. It began with him as a local chairman for the United Transportation Union for 30 years. Once he retired, he shifted gears and focused his energy on the Knights of Columbus and Doors to New Life Refugee Centre. His passion was evident in the countless hours he spent at both organizations doing what needed to be done to ensure success of events such as, bingos, picnics, spaghetti suppers, lobster dinners and Irish Night, singing all the while. At this time in his life, he realized that his commitments to helping others required so much more than a sticky note to stay organized, and he purchased his first day planner at the age of 55! Romano was also a lifetime member of the Elks and the DaVinci.
His first grandchild was born the year he retired and thus began his most cherished role as Papa. He took great pleasure and pride in babysitting his grandchildren and loved to pass on his knowledge and wisdom to them every chance he got. He loved sending his grandchildren interesting facts in his Papa’s “Points to Ponder” group chat. Its heartwarming to hear the grandsons chat about Papas “Points to Ponder” now as grown men.
Romano and Fran truly enjoyed and embraced their retirement years, travelling to Europe countless times and visiting some of the most beautiful places on earth. His pictures of places visited grace the walls of their house to remind them of the beautiful memories made during these times.
Romano was a faithful man who enjoyed his daily mass at St. Pats and, in recent days, found strength in watching or listening to daily mass on TV. The morning mass crew at St Pats were a source of strength and comfort to Romano. Also, having been a member of St. Domenic’s Parish since before he was married, that parish community is one that he has always held close to his heart.
Romano loved to sing, and many were blessed to hear him serenade them as he was on his daily walks or doing yard work or welcoming people at the door at Rosies Friday buffet at the Columbus Centre. In his final days, he was surrounded by his beautiful music ranging from Bocelli to the Beatles, Dolly Parton to the Bee Gees, Zamfir to Elvis. So many memories that Romano’s family holds dear are attached to the beautiful music he was always playing.
Romano has left a legacy of love, kindness, faith, commitment, and the impact that a great smile can have to brighten the days of friends and strangers alike.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Romano’s nurse Caleb who was a source of comfort to him and mom over the last 10 months. Caleb’s visits always put a smile on their faces.
Funeral mass was held on Saturday February 24, 2024, at St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to DOORS to New Life Refugee Center.
Online condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com
