Obituaries December 2, 2010

Posted 12/1/10

Sante Romano, tailor

Sante “Sandee” Romano, 80, of Collegeville, a tailor who with his wife, Maddalena, op- erated a business in Chestnut Hill for more than three decades, died Nov. 4 of …

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Obituaries December 2, 2010

Posted

Sante Romano, tailor

Sante “Sandee” Romano, 80, of Collegeville, a tailor who with his wife, Maddalena, op- erated a business in Chestnut Hill for more than three decades, died Nov. 4 of respiratory failure at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Romano’s sho- p, at 7833 Germantown Ave., was known to local residents both for its red awning and marble stoop as well as for the friendliness of its proprietor who invariably could be found leaning over the counter, tape measure draped around his neck, sharing stories about current happenings on the Hill and reminiscences of his hom- etown in Italy.

Born in Bucchianico, Mr. Romano came to the United States in 1947. He learned tailoring at a trade school in Philadelphia and worked for several years for the Daroff clothing company before opening his own shop.

Longtime residents of Chestnut Hill, Mr. Romano and his wife moved to Collegeville after retiring in 2002.

He was fond of Italian food and wine, opera and traveling the world, and enjoyed vacationing in Sullivan, Maine, for more than 35 years.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Romano is survived by sons Anthony and Stephen, and a brother, Joseph. Two sisters, Anna and Giustinia, preceded him in death.

A memorial service was held Nov. 8 at St. Eleanor’s Church in Collegeville. Memorial donations may be made to: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania for the Benefit of the Cardiovascular Institute of Penn Medicine Development, c/o Carol Forte, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. – WF

Christopher R. Rosser, lawyer

Christopher Rex Rosser, 72, a partner in the law firm of Thistle, Moore, Rosser and Tull, died of stomach cancer Nov. 20 – his birthday – at his home in Chestnut Hill.

Mr. Rosser was one of the founders of the firm, created more than three decades ago in a split from an earlier law firm. Among its clients were heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and the “Lawrence Welk Show” singer Natalie Nevins.

Raised in Roxborough and Chestnut Hill, the son of Gus and Emily Rosser, he was a graduate of the William Penn Charter School, Middlebury College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

He served in the Army Reserves after graduating from college.

Mr. Rosser, who had lived for 41 years in Wyndmoor, had a longstanding affection for Windsor Beach in Cape May, N.J., where he vacationed all of his life, eventually buying a house there that became a work in progress. It was not uncommon for him to play host to 15 overnight guests or porch parties for the entire neighborhood. The house was sold a week before his death.

He also was an avid watercolor painter and jazz connoisseur.

Mr. Rosser is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jane; a son, Mark; a daughter, Pam Thistle, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the auditorium of the William Penn Charter School, 3000 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Memorial donations may be made to the school. – WF

Joseph B. Timoney, fire chief

Joseph B. Timoney, 85, a former fire chief of Wyndmoor Hose Company No. 1, died of cancer Nov. 22 at his home in Wyndmoor.

Mr. Timoney’s 62 years of service to the fire company began when he joined it as a volunteer in 1948. He had served 31 years as a member of the company’s board of directors and for 23 years as financial secretary, overseeing construction of a new fire station.

He was named fire chief in the mid-1970s, presiding over the company’s 45 members for 20 years.

After retiring, he remained on the board of directors and became safety officer, appearing at fires to monitor safety procedures until shortly before his death.

He was a member of the Springfield Township Fire Board and a charter member of the Montgomery County Fire Board, which he chaired from 1986 to 1996, playing a major role in construction of the Montgomery County Fire Academy.

A lifetime resident of Wyndmoor, he was a graduate of Springfield High School. For a time he worked in King of Prussia as a building supervisor for what was formerly the Pennsalt Chemical Co.

He is survived by his wife, the former Norita Hartley; sons Joseph B. Jr. and Gregory; a daughter, Audrey Fasy; six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 27 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Wyndmoor. Interment was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wyndmoor Hose Company No. 1, 1043 E. Willow Grove Ave., Wyndmoor PA 19038. – WF

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