Gilford--Rudolph (Rudy) Romagnoli, 87, of Gilford, New Hampshire, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2015, at Lakes Region General Hospital.
Rudy was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, on January 21, 1928, to Italian immigrants, Dominic and Theresa (Signorello) Romagnoli. He graduated from Attleboro High School and went on to receive a degree from Bentley College. After college Rudy joined the Army in 1950 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and remained in the Army Reserves until 1956. He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Eva (Meunier) Romagnoli.
Prior to moving to New Hampshire he was co-owner and operator of Attleboro Motor Sales for many years. He and Eva owned a summer residence on Spindle Point in Meredith prior to moving to New Hampshire permanently in 1974 at which time he purchased the Swedish Village Cottage Colony on Lake Winnipesaukee. Rudy was an avid member and officer of the Laconia-Gilford Lions Club and was honored with the Melvin Jones Award, the highest award issued by 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. Rudy was happiest while working on remodeling projects, always whistling as he was working. 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 time with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children, J. Michael Romagnoli and his wife, Katherine; Gary Romagnoli and his wife, Diane; and Jayne Thompson and her husband, Dennis. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael A. Romagnoli, Brittany Loring, Madison Romagnoli and Trevor Romagnoli, and one great-granddaughter, Hailey Gilman; his three siblings, Joseph Romagnoli; Doris and her husband, David Hall; and Nancy and her husband, Thomas Bellavance, several nieces and nephews.
Family members would like to express their gratitude to Jayne Thompson and her husband, Dennis for their loving and unending care of Rudy over the last six months.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Two Wall Street, Manchester, NH 03101.
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