Town Board pays tribute to deceased colleague
Emotional memorial service held to honor Keith Romaine
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Brookhaven Town Councilman Tim Mazzei (left) consoles Councilwoman Jane Bonner as she delivers an emotional speech about deceased councilman Keith Romaine. Tuesday's Town Board meeting was the first since Mr. Romaine died Nov. 14 at age 36, following a brief illness.
The 45-minute service attended by Mr. Romaine's father, Legis. Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), included a performance by the Emerald Society bagpipe band, a slide-show tribute to the councilman and speeches from several of his closest friends and colleagues.
Mr. Romaine was remembered throughout the tribute as a hardworking councilman with a great sense of humor who fought for his beliefs and relished in joining his father in serving the public.
"There is no greater tribute to a father than to have your son follow in your footsteps," said Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton).
Mr. Bishop was one of several elected officials to acknowledge Mr. Romaine's passing in the past week, paying tribute to him by flying a flag at half-mast over the capitol in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, he presented the flag to Ed Romaine.
Gov. David Paterson also paid tribute to the councilman at Vision Long Island's annual Smart Growth Summit in Melville Friday, asking those in attendance to keep Mr. Romaine, who was just 36 years old, in their thoughts and prayers.
"He was a loyal and trusted colleague and friend," Ms. Bonner said. "Especially [during election season] when loyalty and trust were on short supply."
Mr. Mazzei said that above all, Mr. Romaine was a "good guy."
The councilman's best friend, senior deputy county clerk Dan Panico, said that although Mr. Romaine was happy to follow in his father's footsteps, that wasn't always the easiest path.
"When he first got elected people wanted him to be a clone of his dad," Mr. Panico said.
"He made his own way, and he made his own name."
Mr. Romaine had been re-elected to a second term just 11 days before his death. Friends said he had complained of illness during his campaign, and he did so publicly at his final board meeting Nov. 10.
But his death came as a shock to his friends, family and colleagues.
"He died in an unimaginable way," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko during Tuesday's service. "A way that doesn't make sense to us even today."
Said Mr. Mazzei: "I wish it didn't end so soon."
gparpan@northshoresun.com
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