William (Bill) Romano's Obituary
William Michael Romano of Ashburn, Virginia, known as Bill, passed away on August 11, 2024. Bill was born on December 28, 1943, to his loving parents, Mary and Gennaro Romano in Brooklyn, New York. When he was seven years old, his family moved permanently to their summer cottage in Sound Beach, Long Island. He enjoyed country living surrounded by the Long Island Sound with his brother Joseph and sister Elaine. After graduating from Earl Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson, Bill headed to St. John’s University in Jamaica Queens.
As a sophomore in college, at the age of 19, Bill was treated for a cancerous tumor on his spine with intense surgery followed by six weeks of inpatient recovery and radiation treatment. His close-knit Italian and faithful Catholic family rallied around him and nursed him back to full health. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting in 1966- the first in his family to graduate from college.
Upon graduation, Bill accepted a job working for the General Accounting Office (GAO) in the New York regional office in Manhattan. After completing his first year, he had the exciting opportunity to transfer to the international division in Washington DC as an auditor.
Upon arriving in Washington DC, he was set up on a blind date with Marsha Sheridan. He took her out in his 1966 red convertible Camaro to Luigi’s in DC for an Italian themed evening, which was a huge success – as they ended up getting married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown one year later. Soul mates and best friends – they enjoyed 55 years of wedded bliss together!
Bill and Marsha raised two children, Gregory and Lisa, in their hometown of Reston, Virgnia. Bill loved being a father and was devoted to family life. Bill served as a coach for youth basketball and baseball, Boy Scout Master, and CCD religious education teacher.
Bill worked for the government at the Department of Transportation and served as a federal employee for twenty years. He then decided to take a risk and go into business for himself. He and Marsha bought two franchise print businesses - Minuteman Press of Chantilly and Reston, which they ran successfully for 16 years. During this time, Bill was a dedicated member of the community, serving on the Chantilly Optimist Club and as President of the Fair Lakes Rotary Club.
Upon retirement, Bill pursued his lifelong interest in history by serving as a historical interpreter at George Washington’s estate – Mount Vernon. Bill spent the next thirteen years educating the public about the life and legacy of our first president leading countless tours of the mansion and grounds.
Bill loved spending time in nature at one of two West Virginia cabins they had for over 40 years. In retirement, Bill and Marsha traveled cross country by car and visited many national parks. They traveled all over Europe, including a few special trips to his father’s birthplace in Ventotene, Italy.
He was a devoted Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers fan for over 70 years. He loved watching St. John’s Red Storm basketball. And he was an avid reader of history and current event books; he also read the newspaper every day from front to back.
Bill was a man of strong character and resolve. Quiet and reserved on the outside, but fun loving and deeply caring to those in his inner circle. He had a very strong work ethic and tremendous love for this family.
Most importantly, Bill was a loving and devoted husband and a proud father and grandfather. He was happiest when he was with his family enjoying a meal, vacationing, and celebrating milestones together.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Marsha Sheridan Romano; two children: Greg Romano and his wife Molly Yeager Romano of Bernardsville, New Jersey and Lisa Romano and her husband Kevin Turner of South Riding, Virginia; and four grandchildren: Katelin and Will Romano and Gabe and Grant Turner. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph (Amalia) and sister Elaine Hoffman (Fred). Extended family include brother-in-law Robert Sheridan (Carolyn), nephew Gene Romano (Christine), niece Linda Ruggiero-Gehringer (Mitch), niece Christine McCarthy (Lloyd), and niece Nancy Parrish (Craig).
The family will receive guests for a visitation from 12-1 pm on Friday, August 16th at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, located at 158 Catoctin Circle SE in Leesburg, Virginia. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2pm at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE in Leesburg, Virginia, with a graveside burial immediately following at the neighboring Union Cemetery.
In Bill’s memory, flowers may be sent to the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, or a donation may be made to George Washington’s Mount Vernon as a Tribute Gift in honor of William M. Romano through the website: www.mountvernon.org/donate
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