Raulise E Romero

Rauly was born to Isabel (Ortiz) and Venancio T. Romero on February 12, 1936, in Baracoa, Cuba. He grew up in Guantanamo, attended an American Episcopal school and later became a Free Mason. He left Cuba in 1957, continuing his studies at Temple High School and Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1961 he joined the United States Army, becoming a Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. He was always proud of his service in the Army, where his awards included The Expert Rifle Army Medal, The Army’s Parachutist Badge and The Army Good Conduct Medal.

He met and married his wife, Dora (Marron) Romero, in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1970. The family moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1975. Although he studied engineering, Rauly was an expert jeweler and master watchmaker. He operated his jewelry store in Philadelphia and later in Ft. Lauderdale until his retirement in 2008. He was an avid reef aquarium hobbyist; his other interests included photography, fishing and scuba diving with his wife and children. However, what gave him the most pleasure and happiness in life was sharing time with his grandchildren.

A life-long man of faith, Rauly was raised in the Baptist Church in Cuba and attended the Baptist Church in Philadelphia. He was a member of Christ Church United Methodist for 34 years and later became a member of Grace Wesleyan Church when it was founded five years ago.

Rauly is preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Dora; his children, Isabel Romero-Villicana ( Patrick Villicana ) and Luis Romero ( Amanda Carrion-Romero ); his sister-in-law, Rosa A. Marron and his six loving grandchildren: Raul Romero, Alejandro Romero, Kendall Baer, Sebastian Villicana, Catalina Villicana, and Valentina Villicana.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 2nd, at Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 2401 SW 64th Ave. (Davie Rd), Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317.

The Romero family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to relatives, neighbors, friends and church family who have supported them through Rauly’s illness and this most difficult time.