March 22, 1942 – August 22, 2016
Fernando Mario Romo, known to everyone as Mario, of West Orange, NJ, formerly of Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY, died on Monday, August 22, 2016 of complications following surgery. He was 74 years old. Mario will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Charlotte Wescott and their daughter, Marina Wescott Romo; and his older daughter, Tamara Romo Griggs from previous marriage to Patience Nicolai. He is survived by his brothers, Daniel and Gabriel Duron. Predeceased by his parents, Efren Romo and Josephine Duron.
Mario was born in Culver City, CA. He was a photo journalist in Los Angeles back in the 60’s. He relocated to Brooklyn, NY in the 70’s, working for an educational publishing company. Mario and his wife Charlotte were proud retail business owners of Seventh Avenue Framing & Art Supplies, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, for 22 years before retirement. He was an active member of Brooklyn’s Gallery Players Theatre Company, working as stage manager on many shows. When the family relocated to West Orange, NJ, he discovered gardening and reconnected to his first love, photography. Once he retired and had the luxury of time, he became involved in the West Orange Arts Council and the West Orange Downtown Alliance.
Mario will be remembered by his friends and family for his great sense of humor and, sometimes brutal, honesty…always delivered with a smile.
Services will be private. Funeral arrangements entrusted to EUGENE J. ZALE FUNERAL HOME, INC., STRATFORD, NJ.
About the Author
Mario was my college roommate in LA, in the early sixties. He and I were active in the civil rights struggle then. He truly wanted to make this world better for the disadvantaged and oppressed. The last facebook entry he sent showed how distraught he was over the ‘black lives matter’ issues. There will always be a place in my heart for Mario.–Charles Berrard
Mario was my boyfriend for a while in the 60’s where I worked with him and Charles Berrard in the civil rights movement. I feel grateful that I got to see him when he visited the west coast recently. He was always a good and loving person. I also remember him as an artist. RIP Mario Romo. I will always remember you.
You and I being the oldest of all the cousins that were so much younger than us, you made my childhood fun. We had great times together and I will never forget you.
I also knew Mario in the early sixties. A lovely person. Ellen Broms
Hi Charles, Mario loved you. One of his oldest dearest friends. We had a great celebration yesterday. Lots of laughter, food and shared memories.
Dear Marianna, Mario often spoke of you. He had a special place in his heart just for you. We miss him everyday. Thanks for you kind words.
Thank you Harriet, Mario had great memories of you, too. Thanks for your kind words. We will figure our how to put this summer in perspective. Right now I’m grateful he had so many friends throughout his life.