Rudolph Romagnoli, 87, of Gilford, N.H. passed away on Friday, May 22, 2015 at Lakes Region General Hospital.
Rudy was born January 21, 1928 in Mansfield, Massachusetts to Italian immigrants Dominic and Theresa (Signorello) Romagnoli. Rudolph graduated from Attleboro High School, and went on to receive his degree at Bentley College. After college in November of 1950, Rudy joined the US Army, where he served in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952, and remained in the Army Reserves until 1956.
Prior to moving to New Hampshire, Rudy was co-owner and operator of Attleboro Motor Sales for many years. In the summer of 1974, he and his wife Eva moved to Laconia, N.H., where they purchased the Swedish Village Cottage Colony on Lake Winnipesaukee, which they owned for seven years before selling it in 1982. Rudy was an avid member of the Laconia-Gilford Lions Club for many years, serving as treasurer, VP, and President. He received Lion of the Year several times, and was honored with the Melvin Jones Award, the highest award issued by the Lions Club International.
Some of Rudy's hobbies included building train sets and working on cars. He also had a great passion for woodworking and was a master craftsman. He was happiest when working on remodeling projects, always whistling while he worked. During his earlier years he enjoyed boating, and treating his guests to boat rides on Lake Winnipesaukee. Most of all, he was a family man and loved spending as much time as he could with his children, grandchildren and great granddaughter.
Rudy is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Eva (Meunier) Romagnoli; three children, J. Michael Romagnoli and his wife Katherine, Gary Romagnoli and his wife, Diane, and Jayne (Romagnoli) Thompson and her husband Dennis; Four grandchildren, Michael Romagnoli, Brittany Loring, Madison Romagnoli and Trevor Romagnoli, and one great granddaughter, Hailey Gilman; his three siblings, Joseph Romagnoli, Doris Hall and her husband, David, Nancy Bellavance and her husband, Thomas, and several nieces and nephews.
Family members would like to express their gratitude to his daughter Jayne (Romagnoli) Thompson and her husband Dennis for their loving and compassionate care of Rudy over the last six months.
Private family services will be held.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com