Keith Romaine, Brookhaven councilman, dies at 36

November 14, 2009 by RICK BRAND / rick.brand@newsday.com

Keith Romaine, who just won re-election to a second term on the Brookhaven Town council, died shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, a family spokesman told Newsday.

Romaine, 36, had been suffering from pneumonia for several days and died from complications caused by a virus that attacked his heart, spokesman Dan Panico said.

"This is tragic," said Jesse Garcia, Brookhaven Republican chairman. "It's a great loss for the Ed Romaine family and for all the people in his district and the Town of Brookhaven. He was a fighter and doggedly dedicated. He had a cold but was working through it for the good of the voters and his constituents. The way he fought was a mark of the man and his character."

Panico said Romaine, a Republican, felt run-down toward the end of his campaign, which culminated with his defeat of Democratic candidate Ronald Lupski and independent Joseph May on Nov. 3.

Several days later, Panico said, Romaine visited his doctor and complained of fluid in his chest preventing him from sleeping. Romaine checked into Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on Thursday and was transferred to Winthrop on Friday. Tests for the H1N1 flu virus were negative.

"We're shocked and saddened by this sudden, untimely loss," said Mark Lesko, the Brookhaven supervisor who won re-election last week. "He was a passionate public servant and this tragedy is almost unimaginable."

Lesko ordered flags be flown at half-staff at all town buildings from now through the funeral.

"I just can't believe it," said Timothy Mazzei, town board GOP majority leader, "They thought he was getting better but that he would not get back to work until January."

Mazzei added that Romaine was "a driving force" behind putting global positioning systems into town vehicles and was "energetic and strong" as a liaison to ambulance and local fire departments.

John Jay LaValle, newly elected Suffolk Republican chairman and a former Brookhaven supervisor said Romaine had lost 30 to 40 pounds while working on his campaign.

"On election night, standing on the podium, he said it was 'the best day of my life' because it had been a tough battle," LaValle said. "He was kind of rejuvenated as a candidate and an official and was looking forward to a new day for us."

Romaine lived in Moriches and grew up in Center Moriches. He was first elected to the town board in 2007. Romaine served as an aide to former U.S. Rep. Michael Forbes before his election to the town board. He also owned a business called Suffolk Legal and Process Service, which provided support service to attorneys and title companies. Romaine is the son of Suffolk Legis. Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who was with him at the time of his death.

"Keith was absolutely the apple of Ed's eye, and Keith looked to his father as a mentor, a teacher and a trusted best friend," said Panico, his campaign manager and close friend.

"No parent should ever have to bury their child," said Frank MacKay, state and Suffolk Independent Party chairman. "He was a young man who had two victories at age 36 and had a future ahead of him."

With Romaine, Republicans held a 4-3 majority on the Brookhaven Town council. Brookhaven Town law requires a special election for the vacant seat be held within 60 to 90 days.

During the campaign, Romaine had pushed hard for the town to allow residents to vote on his proposed tax cap. The cap would prevent the town from increasing its tax rate by more than a few percent per year. Town Democrats have balked at the plan, prompting Romaine to say he would attempt to get the tax cap onto a future ballot through a petition campaign. Romaine had also said the town should generate more revenue through town facilities such as Brookhaven Calabro Airport.

"I'm just shocked," Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer said. "My heart goes out to my former colleague Ed Romaine and his family."

Romaine, who was born Feb. 20, 1973, at Winthrop, is survived by his father; grandfather Edward T. Romaine; brother Kevin Romaine of Manorville; and uncle, John Romaine of Maryland.

Romaine attended St. John's Elementary School in Center Moriches and graduated from Mercy High School in Riverhead. He then earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Fordham University before receiving his degree in 2003 from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

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