Roy Anthony Romano

A native and resident of Baton Rouge, he passed away Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 12:45 a.m. at his home. He was 83 and a retired grocer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in World War II from 1943 to 1946. He was a 2nd class gunners mate aboard the USS West Virginia (BB48). He received several medals and battle stars for his participation during the Navy's liberation of the South Pacific, including the battles of Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait (the last ship-to-ship battle in naval history), Mindoro, Lingayen Gulf, and the landings at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. On April 1, 1945, the USS West Virginia was struck by a kamikaze plane in an air attack during the battle of Okinawa. The USS West Virginia was present when Japan signed the formal documents of surrender in Tokyo harbor. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., was on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting will resume at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., on Monday at 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., concelebrated by the Rev. Victor Messina and the Rev. Jason Palermo. Interment in Roselawn Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife, Daisy Palermo Romano; two daughters, Sandra Romano Lindsey and partner Mark Perry, and Maralena Romano Murphy and her husband, John E. Murphy Jr.; son, James P. Romano and his wife, Pamela B. Romano; daughter-in-law, Gretchen Vaughn Romano; sister, Angie Romano D'Agostino; nine grandchildren, Shannon Wyszomierski, Thomas Lindsey, Bryan Romano, Rustin Romano, Ronnie Romano, Tony Romano, Bradley Romano, Jason Romano and Shelly Pendergrass; and 13 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by a son, Roy "Buddy" Romano; parents, Antonio and Camellia Loisa Romano; son-in-law, Thomas O. Lindsey; brothers, Joseph A. Romano and Tony Romano; and sisters, Nellie Saia, Jennie Maggio, Rose Jerome and Josie Levatino. He was an avid reader and collector of World War II Naval history. He enjoyed going to his camp on False River and his annual vacations to Florida with his family. He attended Catholic High School and was a member of the Catholic High Men's Club, the American Legion, the Greater Baton Rouge American Italian Association and the USS West Virginia Reunion Association. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Feliciana Home Health Care and St. Joseph's Hospice and also Dr. Kevin Babin, Michael McCarthy and Kevin Kilpatrick for their wonderful care. A special thank you to his caregiver, Tiffany Thomas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either St. Joseph's Hospice, 8923 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 or to Catholic High School, 720 Hearthstone Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.