John Bartola

Romeo John Bartola, age 80, died at Alta Vista Retirement Living Community on the 12th of April 2013. The cause was acute renal and congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Romeo John, known as “Romi” to his family, and “John” to his friends, was born on the 28th of November 1932 in Brooklyn, NY. He lived in many places between New York, Korea, Connecticut, and Arizona, finally residing in Prescott, AZ. He served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps on active duty from May 1953 to May 1955, and as a Reservist until May 1960. While serving he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Romeo John earned a Bachelors of Science Degree from C.W. Post College of Long Island University and a Master’s of Science from the University of New Haven. He worked as an Industrial Engineer for the Norden Division of United Technologies, a Financial Analyst for Data Products New England, and as a Senior Industrial Engineer for Sikorsky Aircraft where he fueled his love of helicopters. Romeo John was an avid skier, skiing exotic locales around the world. He loved boating and sailing, his first boat, the “Harvey,” built with his brother Charles and later, his sailboat, a 17 ft. day cruiser. His other passion was baseball and the NY Mets. He loved the upstart team, filling the void created when the NY Dodgers moved to L.A. He regularly organized trips for friends and co-workers to see the team play, and made sure he had the right satellite TV station in Arizona to watch his team play. He was a much beloved Uncle, holding a special place in the hearts of his nieces and nephews. Always quick of wit and with his dry sense of humor, he made holiday dinners and vacations full of fun. Survivors include his brother, Charles Bartola of Mims, FL; his sister, JoAnn Clark and her husband Stephen W. Clark of Flower Mound, TX; nieces Roseanne Bartola of Mims, Mary Bartola Payne of Rockledge, FL, Ellen Bartola of Herndon, VA; nephews Christopher Clark of Culpepper, VA, Robert Clark of Flower Mound; and their spouses and children. Romeo John was preceded in death by his parents Charles Aloysius Bartola and Maria Mea Bartola, and his sister-in-law Bernadette Jean Bartola.