Andrew Michael Romanitis, Sr.

Tuesday, March, 28, 2023

10:00 am to 11:00 am

Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL

Tuesday, March, 28, 2023

11:00 am

Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL

Andrew Michael Romanitis, Sr., of Collinsville, IL, passed away at the young age of 66, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL after a long battle with cancer.

He was born March 2, 1957, to Andy and Charlene Romanitis of Collinsville, in East St. Louis, IL. He attended Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic grade school and Collinsville High School. Andrew was a strong believer in God and the Catholic Faith, attending Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. After high school, he went on to pursue post-secondary technical education, where he excelled in the automotive field.

Andrew was a lifelong Collinsville resident, except for several years when he lived in Troy. He worked as a district sales manager for a national sales and distribution company, and as regional territory account manager for a food distribution company. He became a member of the diamond elite sales club at both companies. From there, he went to work at National Steel Corporations and American Steel until his retirement.

Andrew enjoyed working on cars in his earlier years and was well-known around Collinsville for his classic hotrods. He belonged to the Busch Pool League and was a talented billiards player. A member of the National Rifle Association, he enjoyed target practice and was an excellent marksman; in his youth and as a young man, he loved to go hunting. Andrew was a fan of classic rock and was incredibly knowledgeable about its music history, along with being a talented singer who sang in several bands. He was an aficionado of classic horror and action movies, Westerns, and enjoyed watching The Three Stooges. Andrew liked to watch the eagles on the hiking trails at Pere Marquette. He too was a free bird. An excellent cook, Andrew loved to BBQ, which was always a highly requested family favorite. He was an amazing navigator; you would never be lost if you were with Andrew.

Andrew was a family man; he loved his children and was very proud of them and their careers and accomplishments. He and his father, Andy Romanitis, loved coaching his son’s little league baseball team. Andrew’s daughter fondly remembers eating oysters while watching WWF wrestling together, her Dad taking her to one of her first concerts, and going with him to the Japanese Festival at the Botanical Garden. Andrew enjoyed having coffee early in the mornings with his Dad at McDonald’s. Andrew was personable, friendly, charming, smart, funny, and a people person. He was very brave in his courageous battle with cancer.

Andrew lovingly spent the later years of his life with his girlfriend Penny.

Andrew is preceded in death by his parents Andy and Charlene Romanitis; grandparents, Nellie and John, and Frances and Charles; great-aunt and great-uncle Sophia and Frank; aunt and uncle, Georgiann and David Elliott; cousin, Richard Elliott.

Andrew is survived by his son, Andrew Michael (Amanda) Romanitis, Jr.; daughter, Mikalene Ann Romanitis; sister, Susan Ann Romanitis; partner of over 20 years, Penny Duvall; grandchildren, Alexander Michael Romanitis, Alivia Mae Romanitis; cousins, Patrick (Rita) Elliott, David Elliott, Lynn Bettorf, Debbie (John) Gaines; and many loving friends.

Memorials may be made to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, or the Romanitis Grandchildren Trust Fund.

Donations can be made by phone or checks can be mailed to:
Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home
515 Vandalia St.
Collinsville, IL 62234

Visitation: Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL.

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 11:00 am, at Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville, IL.

Clergy: Fr. Michael Haag

Interment: Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery

Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.