James E. "J.B." Romano

James E. “J.B.” Romano, age 79, passed away suddenly on July 29, 2022. Jimmy was born on April 24, 1943, to Ellen M. Romano Jenkins (Achenbach) and James Daniel Romano. Jimmy grew up in Holloway Terrace, New Castle, Delaware, attended Rosehill and Colwyck Elementary schools and then De la Warr High School, graduating in 1961. He joined the Navy on January 31, 1962, and spent two years based at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and 2-1/2 years in San Diego, California, stationed aboard the USS NEREUS (AS-17) until his discharge on May 27, 1966. Upon returning home, Jimmy worked for Clarence Burris & Sons as a bricklayer. During 1975 he secured a position in New Castle County Government eventually retiring in 2005 as an Administrator, Community Development & Housing. Jimmy joined Holloway Terrace Volunteer Fire Company as a junior firefighter at the age of 16. He went on to spend a lifetime of serving others as an active firefighter and Officer of the Fire Company for more than 60 consecutive years. His leadership roles in the Fire Company included but were not limited to Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Director, and Vice President. After 20 years he earned Active Life Membership and went on to receive numerous Awards and Recognitions such as the prestigious Member of the Year twice. Jimmy was selected to serve as Chairman of the Fire Company’s New Building Committee and oversaw the construction of the Fire Company’s award-winning Fire Prevention Float. Christmas time would have never been the same for the children without Jimmy suiting up as Jolly Old St. Nick, “Santa Claus.” The yearly Children’s Christmas Lunch and talking to the children was his most favorite time of the year. Jimmy served on various Committees of the New Castle County and the Delaware State Firefighters Associations and he represented Holloway Terrace as a delegate to the DVFA. He was also an active member of the Delaware Fire Chiefs Association. For many years he coordinated and chaired Holloway Terrace’s Annual Golf Tournament. In addition, Jimmy helped organize St. Hedwig’s Polish Festival for many years with Leonard Szafranski and Steve Burg, along with many others. He is also a member of The American Legion in Claymont. Jimmy’s friends were also dear to his heart. He was a good friend of Benny Rizzo and the entire Rizzo family. He loved his Rizzo wine and in the most recent years, he cherished the fact that the wine cellar was his every Thursday so that he could have lunch with his friends. This day was sacred. Mary Ann says they always had to plan around Thursday lunches at the wine cellar. They still have close friends that were so close that to this day they are called aunt and uncle. The friendships he accumulated over a lifetime were always dear to his heart. Jimmy is predeceased by his parents, Ellen M. Romano Jenkins and James Daniel Romano; sister-in-law Dorothy M. Romano (Hunter); brother-in-law Richard J. Machulski. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Ann B. (Machulski) and sons, Anthony J. and Daniel V. (Brianna Wendt); grandchildren Luke, Alex and Jack Romano and Makayla Wendt; brothers Wayne A., Lynwood G. “Pete”, Donald “Barry” (Nancy) and Christopher D. Romano (Marilyn); sisters, Mary E. Romano (Diana Grunde), and Sheila Wilson Murray Barnette; brother-in-laws Leon F. (Marge), Thomas A. (Nancy Crowder) Machulski; sister-in-laws Bernadette E. Muto, Barbara F. Bell (Bill), and Patricia Machulski; and many, many nieces and nephews. Jimmy will always be remembered for his jokes and for loving to roast others. He was kind, gentle, endearing, jovial and made friends wherever he went. He would often ask anyone new “how old do I look?” just to start a conversation and elicit a compliment. His family considered him a caring “Godfather”. He just brightened everyone’s day and he was so loved. Upon the death of his father, he seriously took on the responsibility of keeping the family together by starting family picnics and developing a family tree to educate the younger generation of the family’s history. He absolutely loved making ravioli for family dinners and would give the recipe and show anyone who wanted to learn how to make them. He so loved all his family. Jimmy was also very, very proud of his service in the Navy and in the Holloway Terrace Fire Company. He will be greatly missed by all. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A second visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 am until 12 pm on Friday, August 5, 2022, at St. Hedwig Church, 408 South Harrison Street, Wilmington, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12 pm. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. Following burial, a meal will be served at the Holloway Terrace Volunteer Company, 700 West Avenue, New Castle, Delaware 19720. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Jimmy’s memory to St. Hedwig’s Church, 408 South Harrison Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19805 or to Holloway Terrace Volunteer Company, Ladies Auxiliary, 700 West Avenue, New Castle, Delaware 19720.

James E. "J.B." Romano

April 24, 1943 - July 29, 2022