Pete Romano — a son of Saugatuck, proud Staples High School graduate, lover of Westport, hands-on volunteer, philanthropist, guiding force behind the LandTech engineering and land use firm, and a link between our town’s past, present and future — died last night.
A full obituary will be posted soon. He was diagnosed with cancer last year.
Pete Romano, in his native Saugatuck.
I was honored to consider Pete a friend.
Of course, I was just part of a very long, and extremely varied, list of friends. A typical Pete production — his LandTech holiday party — was filled with everyone you could think of: business associates, clients, town officials, sports figures, random folks from every part of Westport life.
Pete greeted us all as if we were the only person in the crowded room. When he asked “How are you doing?” he really listened to the answer. He got everyone a drink, personally. And then he introduced every person to someone they didn’t know, but who was also part of Pete’s world.
Pete Romano was the ultimate people person. There can be no greater tribute than the number of people whose lives he touched — even the few he did not know.
In 2016, Pete Romano participated in Elderhouse’s “Dancing with the Stars” benefit. He raised over $15,000 for the adult day care center.
In 2006, as head boys soccer coach at Staples High, I led a project to “terrace the hill” at Loeffler Field.
Pete donated his time, energy and expertise to the project — as he had to so many others over the years, and continued to do for years thereafter.
He provided the engineering. He sourced the 10 tons of granite from Gault (at a very good price). He oversaw the process.
And he waved off every bit of thanks. “It’s for the kids. It’s what they deserve,” he said quietly.
Generations of players and fans have benefited from that project. It was small potatoes to Pete; he did things like that every day, all his life.
But it was Pete Romano, to the core.
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In 2019, Jeff Seaver nominated Pete Romano for our “06880” Unsung Hero feature. He had been friends, and worked with, Pete for 7 years. Jeff’s words are as appropriate now as they were then.
Walking around town with Pete Romano is like going for a stroll with the mayor: folks say hello everywhere he goes. Pete’s well known not just for his expertise in running Landtech — an engineering and environmental firm on Riverside Avenue — but also for his community service. His reputation spans generations.
His father, PJ Romano, grew up in Westport. He was a PAL volunteer for almost 50 years. The athletic field behind Saugatuck Elementary School is named for him, honoring his role in developing PAL’s football, baseball, wrestling and other programs, including the ice rink at Longshore.
Pete’s mom, Joan Romano, still volunteers with PAL. That spirit continues, as Pete maintains a strong family tradition of service.
Pete played baseball and football at Staples High School. His mom recalls that Pete “would knock a player down, but then afterward, stop to help pick them up.”
Working with his longtime friend and partner at Saugatuck Sweets, Al DiGuido, Pete is one of the forces behind DiGuido’s legendary Al’s Angels charity. Last year, Pete helped organize and oversee over 2,500 holiday meals to help those in need.
Pete Romano (left) with his mother Joan, and Al DiGuido, at Saugatuck Sweets.
Al DiGuido said, “I have never thought of Pete Romano as a hero. I doubt he regards himself that way. He just has a tireless passion for doing the heavy lifting for those in need, which inspires me and so many others.
“Pete doesn’t seem to need or want the spotlight. He’s not looking for trophies, awards or accolades. I think he does this because it’s in his DNA. His family has always been committed to doing all they could to help the community. Some are content to sit on the sidelines, but Pete gets his hands dirty doing the hard work that is truly needed.”
But Pete has a superhero alter ego. Every Christmas he plays Santa Claus. He arrives on a Westport Police patrol boat at Saugatuck Center, lighting the tree and entertaining kids.
Here comes Pete — er, Santa Claus!
His good works could fill a book. They include being a major contributor to the renovation of the Westport Weston Family YMCA, and helping sponsor events for the American Cancer Society, Project Return, Elderhouse, Operation Hope, Westport Rotary, Little League Softball, plus many other local causes.
Bill Mitchell has been a pal of Pete’s for many years. They support many of the same causes, including Operation Hope and Project Runway. Bill notes, “Pete and his family have been a gift to our community.”
Steve Smith, Westport’s building inspector, said, “Pete Romano is a successful community leader who is generous and always willing to help out a community cause. He has given his time to our town unselfishly — and always with his characteristically great sense of humor.”
Phil Cerrone, an architect who has partnered in a number of efforts with Pete’s firm, said, “Pete is one of the most caring and considerate people I know. He can always be relied on to help a friend in need. Just as important, he can also be counted on to supply top quality food and drink!”
One of Pete’s most treasured causes is Wakeman Town Farm. Pete often joins with his friend, architect Peter Wormser, scooping ice cream at the Farm’s special events.
Pete Romano and Peter Wormser, at Wakeman Town Farm.
Pete always has time for Westport schools. He and his firm helped create the night lights at the Staples High School football field, the fields at Bedford Middle School, and the Loeffler Field terrace (granite seating on the soccer field hill).
He is a generous supporter of Staples sports teams, Staples Players and middle school theater productions, the Staples robotics team, and more.
Pete’s firm collaborates with Gault Energy on many projects. Gault family members are effusive in their praise. Ginger Gault and Jimmy Donaher say, “He has keen insight to go along with a big heart, and on top of everything else, he’s hysterically funny. Pete is the complete package.”
He is especially proud of his 2 daughters. They went through the Westport School System, and are now smart, vibrant, strong women. Pete said, “They got the best public education one could dream of. How do you ever repay that debt?”
Pete Romano
Pete celebrated a birthday recently. As with many hard-working and generous folks, one of the hardest challenge is figuring out what to give them.
What do you give a man like Pete Romano who does not have everything, but gives everything?
The only answer is: love and genuine appreciation for all that he does.
