Lasting Memories

Jerry A. Romano
April 22, 1933-April 10, 2014
Palo Alto, Calif., California

Jerry A. Romano (80) of Palo Alto, Calif., passed away on April 10 from heart failure.

He grew up in his never-to-be-forgotten Monkey Corner neighborhood in Malden, Mass. His affection for this area led to his authorship in 2006 of the book "Monkey Corner: Life on the Outside Looking In." He wrote about the life-lasting influences this poor, blue-collar neighborhood had on his life's adventures.

A graduate of Brown University (bachelor of arts) and Boston University (master's degree in education), Mr. Romano spent most of his career in the educational publishing industry. He worked in upper editorial positions with the college division of Ginn & Company, The Macmillan Company and the school division of Houghton Mifflin Company. Later he founded The Smart Alex Press, a computer-based curriculum company in Boston. After a move to California, he established the School Time Software Company in Los Altos. Both companies produced literacy materials for disadvantaged students.

In 1995, Mr. Romano retired in Palo Alto, Calif., where he enjoyed the rest of his life restoring old cars; making model airplanes; creating children's toys and whimsical art pieces; and writing, reading and, in general, indulging his creative interests.

Jerry leaves Mary Romano, his ex-wife and life-long best pal, of Massachusetts; Soo-Ling Chan, his wonderful, later-life partner, of Palo Alto; his beautiful daughter Paula Romano, her partner Marion Schwindeman and their talented son Vlad -- all of Redding, Conn.; his sisters Marie Marino and Louise Bonanno, his brother Tony Romano and wife Karin; and all his other wonderful relatives, friends and Monkey Corner buddies who added so much meaning to his life.