Dennis Michael Romanelli, of Stockholm, N.J., passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family on the morning of Thursday, May 6, 2021. He was 80.
He was born April 26, 1941.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 53 years, Suzanne; his devoted children, Stacey, Jimmy, Amanda, Christian, Michael, and Alyson; and his admiring grandchildren, Lacey, Tyler, Matthew, Violet, Ella, Adeline, Julianne, and Lexi.
Dennis was a proud American, serving his country as a respected member of the elite 306th Bombardment Wing of the mighty 8th Air Force Division, and further by choosing to support his family working for the U.S. Postal Service for over 40 years.
An avid outdoorsman, an impassioned speaker, a cowboy at heart, a true patriot, a lover of songbirds, Dennis had a gentle soul with the fierce heart of a lion. He has touched countless lives with his grace, his love, his caring, his consideration, and his advice; his legacy will live on through our memories and our lives.
Dad, Papa, was our almanac, our anchor, our morning wakeup call, our Cookie Monster. Small in stature, he made up for it in passion: he could quick-draw faster than The Man with No Name; he could strut the Romanelli bounce with more swagger than a wiseguy; he connected with and respected nature with the reverie of Deerslayer Hawkeye; and he would fight for his family with the heart of the Roman warrior Maximus.
A true gentleman, an expert warbler, a connoisseur of crumpets, generous and dedicated, Dad played the Hungry Giant, was either The Good, The Bad, or The Ugly, and two-stepped around the house on Sunday mornings, making buckwheat pancakes, spreading love and happiness and spirit.
He has gone on to God’s celestial shores, but he will never be forgotten. We will see you, Dad, Papa, in the first robins and crocuses of every spring, we will feel you in the crispness of every Brrr-month and in the thrill of the line each time we feel a bite, we will hear you in the songs of the tree frogs and the katydids, and we will hold your memory securely in our hearts until we can hold you in our arms once again. Keep the porch light on...we will be home with you again one day.
In lieu of flowers, please share a memory on the Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home web site: sticklesolteszfuneralhome.com. If you are moved to send a gift, please consider a donation to Deborah Heart and Lung or to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospitals, two organizations Dennis supported.