Duane Edward Romano

duane 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.

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  1. Sending thoughts and prayers to Bonnie and all Duane’s family and friends.
    Anita and I have fond memories of Duane and the corner store. Duane was always happy and cheerful whenever he saw us and the other people at the store. He definitely cooked up some good food there too!
    Duane was a stand up guy in everything he did. He will be truly missed as he touched so many lives in our part of the Maine woods.

  2. I knew him from the Corner Store. The first time was 2002.
    I think he gave me a few burn permits when he was Chief.

  3. Duane was always happy and cheerful. And if he had a few moments he would take time to chat with us when ever we saw him.

  4. When I worked at Hannaford he and Bonnie would come in and buy groceries for the restaurant.. they always came to my register.. I used to call them Bonnie and Clyde..

  5. My deepest condolences to Bonnie and family.. I’m so very sorry to hear of Duane’s passing he was an awesome man! ❤️

  6. My friend and boss. I Loved him. He was a great friend and boss. I. Am so thankful that I got to talk to him on Monday. You will be missed 😢 💔 rest in the Lord’s arms 🙏 😢 ❤️ ♥️ 💙

  7. I was Acton Rescue Chief when I first met Duane . Kevin Romano , Duane’s son,was on the Acton rescue . I joined shapleigh fire and was on the fire department with Duane for years . He was family to me .

  8. I’m finding it difficult to find the words to express my thoughts of you not being here. I will always be so proud of you and your accomplishments. Your beautiful marriage and your three exceptional kids. Forever in my heart, my dear brother

  9. Duane was a kind, funny and generous man who genuinely cared about Shapleigh and its people. We had many encounters over the years be it budget committee, Community Days or as a patron of the Corner Store.

  10. I am honored to have known you, One of the most wonderful people in the community. The universe has a hole that can never be filled.

  11. So sorry for your loss Romano family.Duane was a Great man and very special to a lot of people and meant a lot to me for all he has done.He will be missed for sure until we meet again my friend fly high

  12. I have Known Duane and his Family for a long time I use to Work for them at Shapleigh Corner Store I Enjoyed it very much. Duane always had a smile and kind heart great Person he will be Dearly Missed Deepest Condolences to his family

  13. I am so sorry Bonnie and family. Duane was a great guy!! as a friend, an asset to the community and a wonderful cook. Will miss him. You are all in my prayers.

  14. To the Romano family, Sending our sincerest condolences. Duane was a great man. Always took the time to have a conversation with you. Saw him just before Easter and we chatted for a while. Duane, may you rest in eternal peace. And thank you for your service to our town.

  15. Duane and Bonnie had great food! Duane made the best homemade soup available at the Corner Store. He always was smiling and joking. Great guy! Loved going there. He always was kind and gentle. He will be missed by so many! RIP Duane.

  16. Duane was one of a kind. Words cannot express how this loss affects the community, the fire department, his family, his close friends. Duane, you’ll be sorely missed but we will keep making you proud daily. Lots of love to Bonnie and family. Love, the Hunt’s.

  17. We will miss him very much, his smile and willingness to help out the local areas. Gone too soon.. hugs to everyone who knew and loved him.
    Lois & Richard Michaud

  18. I will always remember coming in to the Corner Store for Duane’s Thursday night turkey dinner! And that smile! I feel so honored to have part of the whole family’s circle while i lived in Shapleigh.

  19. My deepest condolences to Bonnie, Duane, Heather, Kevin and the rest of the family. Duane was such a great man, and a huge part of our community. He was my first ever true boss, him and Bonnie letting me work scooping ice cream at the car shows. Always a nice greeting with a smile at the store!! Such a great loss to our little town. Thinking of you all during this difficult time and sending prayers.

  20. Our deepest condolences to Duane’s family !!! He was a great man for family and the community of Shapleigh and beyond ❤️

  21. I have known Duane since I moved to Shapleigh in 2002. I frequented the Shapleigh corner store and restaurant at least once almost every week until it closed.
    I came to know Duane very well and have come to admire his personality and commitment to his community.
    I was involved in local politics from 2012 until 2024.
    Duane was behind me all the way and was one of my biggest supporters.
    I owe Duane alot.
    He is one of the best men I have ever known.
    I will miss him greatly. My condolences to the family and the community on their loss of such a wonderful person.

  22. Duane took me under we his wing and always stuck up for me when many others turned there back. He was one of the best and will severely be missed.

  23. From the fire department and he was one of the best chiefs I have ever known. Never thought he was the better then you and wasn’t afraid to work side by side.

  24. We spent many early mornings sharing stories over coffee in the restaurant.
    I met many new friends there through Duane.

  25. Our deepest sympathy to Bonnie and all of the family.
    He was a wonderful man and a dear friend to us and my parents. Ed and Lois Foye
    He is sorely missed.


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