Romanelli remembered for his generosity

John Romanelli's funeral was held on an unseasonably warm winter day, a fact the Southold heating oil company president would have hated, his best friend joked afterward.

"John would be very upset that . . . today was 50 degrees and sunny," said Bob Ghosio, general manager of Romanelli's company, Burt's Reliable.

Romanelli, 47, a former Southold city councilman and local philanthropist, died Tuesday from burns suffered in a work accident Dec. 30.

Police said he was attempting to thaw a valve on a tanker truck with a blowtorch.

The rubber pipe that connects the valve to the truck came loose, dousing Romanelli with flaming oil.

The funeral was held Saturday morning at First Presbyterian Church in Southold, where several hundred people filled the pews.

During the hourlong service, Romanelli's wife, Heather, sat between her children, Ethan, 19, and Tara, 18.

Paul Romanelli, of Cutchogue, remembered his brother as a man with an infectious smile who lived life to the fullest and was dedicated to business and family. He described Heather as his brother's "true love."

Mourners followed the coffin and the Romanelli family out of the church and gathered on the lawn to say final tearful goodbyes. A private burial followed.

Tom McCarthy, owner of McCarthy Real Estate in Southold, said that even in business, Romanelli had a charitable attitude.

"When we were negotiating a deal, he would say, 'You know what, Tom, we're close enough. I'd rather give the people a little bit extra and have them not think I took advantage of them,' " McCarthy said.

Longtime customers at the funeral said Romanelli would cut them a break if they needed help.

"He had a million-dollar smile that he gave to everyone," said Jane Broderick, a customer who crossed paths with Romanelli over town politics.

He was one of the kindest people she's ever known, Broderick added.

"I'm sorry that he's gone," she said.

In addition to his wife and children, Romanelli is survived by his parents, Pat and Loda, of Farmingdale; and another brother, Martin, of South Huntington.