Duane Edward Romano

Shapleigh - Duane Edward Romano, 74, of Shapleigh died Tuesday May 14, 2024 at his home. Duane was born on October 20th, 1949 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He grew up in West Springfield where he met the love of his life Bonnie Affleck. Shortly after marrying, they moved to Cape Cod where they had their first son, Duane Paul. He shared his love for the Miami Dolphins with his son; and still shared that to this day. The three of them moved to Manchester, Vermont with Bonnie's parents. That is where his in-laws purchased the Avalanche Motor Lodge. This was where his love for the restaurant business and people began. He and Bonnie welcomed their other two children while in Vermont, Kevin and Heather, before moving back to Cape Cod in Harwich, Massachusetts. On weekends, he would enjoy spending time with his family going on hikes, car rides, yard sales, boating, and picnics at Nickerson State Park. He and his wife were on a bowling team and his love for bowling began. He would watch bowling on the television, along with westerns, and annually dedicated to watching The Wizard of Oz. While living on the Cape, his love for Maine grew when he and his family enjoyed vacations to Moosehead Lake and Old Orchard Beach. With that love for Maine and his love for the restaurant business still inside him; he and his family moved to Shapleigh, Maine where they bought the Shapleigh Corner Store in January 1991. Duane soon became active with the Shapleigh Fire Department, working his way up through the ranks to become Chief in 2003. He retired from the Department in 2020. This was something he shared his time and love for with his son, Kevin. Within the 32 years of owning the restaurant, Duane became a true staple of Shapleigh. Always helping whenever anyone needed it. His kindness and dedication to the town of Shapleigh and the surrounding towns, showed his love for people and his beautiful soul. Everyone loved him. He would enjoy his morning coffee with his friends sitting and talking about everything and anything. Even after retirement, he would meet for breakfast every morning with his son, Duane and their dearest friends. He and Bonnie operated the Shapleigh Corner Store until they sold it in March 2022. He then retired, with his wife, and enjoyed their time with their family in Shapleigh, Maine. Duane also enjoyed going on short camping trips with his wife, Bonnie and their friends. It was time away for them to enjoy each other's company in North Conway, New Hampshire. They also took longer camping trips with their children. Duane absolutely loved time with his grandchildren. He wouldn't miss watching their sports games on the TV, giving them rides on his lawn mower, pulling a wagon for them to sit in, and playing card games. He enjoyed sharing his love for Christmas with them. Going to look at lights, listening to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving, the whole Christmas atmosphere. But the thing he loved most in this world was his wife Bonnie of 55 years. From a young age, they were inseparable. The love that he showed and had for her is one of a kind. One that every couple strives to have. They were a team and their love will last forever. Duane Romano was predeceased by his parents David and Merceline (Demers) Romano; his brother, Donald Romano and his in-laws, Paul and Yvette Affleck. He is survived by his wife Bonnie (Affleck) Romano; his children, Duane Paul Romano and his wife Randi of Lebanon, Maine, Kevin Romano and his wife Oralee of Swansea, South Carolina, and Heather Naylor and her husband Brian of Shapleigh, Maine; his grandchildren, Mathew, Madison, and Gavriella Romano, Gavin, Trevor, and Emelie Naylor; and his siblings, David Romano of North Port, Florida and Diane Romano of Holyoke, Massachusetts.