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ANTHONY (TONY) ROMANOW
Date of Passing: May 25, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryANTHONY (TONY) ROMANOW 1919 - 2014 Educator, veteran, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passionate traveller, reader, gardener, craftsman, and generous friend died at the age of 95 on May 25, 2014, following a brief illness. Tony was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, eldest child of Michaelina and Michael Romanow. His wife Jeannette, son John Anthony Cave, and sister Emily Sagansky predeceased him. Tony had a long and varied life. He was raised in Point Douglas in the North End of Winnipeg, a rich, multicultural area. As a young boy he took over management of the family with respect to the "Anglo" world outside his neighbourhood, delivering mortgage payments to the bank carried in a tightly knotted handkerchief, and communicating with lawyers and merchants, bridging the gap between his Ukrainian-speaking immigrant parents and the English business world. Although English was his second language, he quickly mastered it from his teachers in Norquay Elementary School. He graduated from St. John's High School and then completed Normal School to qualify as a teacher. After returning home from the Second World War, he completed both his B.A. and B.Ed. After teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Cloverleaf, Manitoba, he enlisted in the army in 1942, becoming a tank commander. He was sent to the Italian theatre in 1943, unfortunately being torpedoed in the Mediterranean en route. After a winter swim, he developed pneumonia, ending up in hospital in Italy. On release from hospital he joined the British Columbia Dragoons as a 2nd Lieutenant, and fought his way up central and eastern Italy ending outside of Venice. His regiment was then shipped to Holland where he was one of the Canadians in the famed liberation of that country. While overseas he made lifelong friends with extended family in England: Osy, Kathleen, Alan, and Mary Cowlishaw and their families. He returned to Canada on discharge and married Jeannette Arlene Cave, February 1946. Together they built a rich and rewarding life sharing a multitude of interests. Their first child, Arlene, came August 1948, followed in short order by son John, daughter Nancy (married Donald Cranston), son James (married Nola Buhr), and finally daughter Ruth (married David Wilson) in 1959. Tony lived to make things grow, from tomatoes and poppies (provoking an unexpected visit from the R.C.M.P.) to students. He was especially proud of his children and grandchildren (Colleen Skull, Jennifer, Trevor, and Blair Cranston, Sarah and Jeffrey Wilson), all of whom benefited from his nurture, guidance, and wisdom. He could make almost anything blossom, including more than a few of his graduates in the schools over which he presided as teacher and later as administrator of Hugh John Macdonald, Churchill, Cecil Rhodes, and Daniel McIntyre. He was much loved by all and will be greatly missed. If you wish to remember Tony, although he always loved flowers, he would prefer you support the inner-city students he was committed to throughout his career by donating to the completion of the building of the Gordon Bell High School Greenspace (Children's Heritage Fund - Gordon Bell Greenspace, 3 Borrowman Place, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1M6), or to the Canadian Cancer Society. A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 30, 2014
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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Knowing Tony's son, James, it was clear that James deeply respected his father. James made it a priority to be with his father as much as was possible -especially during his ailing years. I never met Tony, but clearly was loved and admired by many. God grace you, Tony. - Posted by: Doug Reichel (friend of Tony's son, James) on: Jul 10, 2014
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I remember Tony from King Memorial Sunday School (that's a long time ago!). "Mr. Romanow" as we knew him then was a wonderfully kind and inspiring Sunday School leader. My life is better for having known him. - Barbara Marshall - Posted by: Barbara Marshall () on: May 30, 2014
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Our condolences to Tony's Family. When we came home from the lake in the fall we would usually find a basket or bag of veggies, tomatoes and/or cut flowers on the back stoop. It was a mystery to us until we caught him in the act. We had a new friend in the hood. I would visit with Tony regularly and listen to his adventures during the war and his teaching career. We knew several people in common so it became a smaller word for him and I. After he stopped driving I sold his car for him and he gave my '64 Chev a new home. He was a gentleman's gentleman and will be greatly missed. Thanks for sharing some of your time with me. Adios Amigo. - Posted by: Fred and Charlotte Wanke (neighbor and friend) on: May 30, 2014
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Tony was one of the best! - Posted by: Donald Cundall (Student) on: May 29, 2014
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I attended St. John's High School many years ago and have always been grateful that Mr. Romanow insisted I read books. My wife taught at Huge John when he was an administrator there. My wife and I send condolences to the family. Walter and Isabel Mirosh - Posted by: Walter Mirosh (Former student at St. John's) on: May 29, 2014
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I was a student on what I called, "the five year plan," at Daniel Mac. When I graduated, Mr. Romanow shook my hand and said, "Congratulations, you FINALLY did it!!" I am still so proud of myself and will always think kindly of his words. I tell people this story all the time. This happened in 1978. RIP. You were a good man. - Posted by: Susan (Student ) on: May 29, 2014
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MR. ROMANOW WAS MY CLASS ROOM TEACHER AT LUXTON SCHOOL IN THE NORTH END OF WINNIPEG. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AS A VERY FINE TACHER WHO WAS FIRM BUT VERY RESPECTED BY ALL THE STUDENTS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE KNOWN HIM. HE HELPED TO TURN MY SCHOOLING AROUND FROM A STUDENT WHO LIKED TO FOOL AROUND AND SOCIALIZE TO MUCH TO ONE THAT A YEAR LATER RECEIVED EXEMPTIONS IN GRADE TEN WITH MARKS HIGH ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE TO WRITE FINAL EXAMS. I RESPECT MR ROMANOW FOR GUIDING ME AT THAT EARLY TIME IN MY LIFE. HE WILL BE MISSED. - Posted by: JACK REAY (FORMER STUDENT) on: May 29, 2014
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Please accept my sympathies for your loss at this time. I knew him in Daniel Mac in my three years of high school, he was very kind to me and he put me at ease when I was asked to photograph him for the year book. Great sense of humor too. I often remember him from that experience when I do something intimidating to this day. Best life lesson and a good memory, I will never forget him. Thanks for everything Mr. Romanow. - Posted by: Jane Durand (Student) on: May 29, 2014
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I did not know Mr. Romanow personally, but reading from the write up above he did have a full enjoyable life. May he rest in peace. - Malay. - Posted by: Malay Kapoor (Colleague of his son-in-law Dave Wilson.) on: May 29, 2014
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Tony was my home room teacher at Luxton School around 1949. A great teacher who did not give up on lazy students like me. About 25 years ago, my wife and I met Tony at the Pembina and Stafford Sals. At that time I reminded him that he had given me the "strap" for acting up in class with another student. We both deserved it. Tony and I had a great laugh together. I will always remember him as being one of the really good guys. - Posted by: GARY WHYTE (Former Student) on: May 29, 2014
