Romano P. Mantua

Romano P. Mantua, 51, of Freeport, died Wednesday at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford. Romano was born on July 3, 1959 in Castro Dei Volsce, Italy, the son of Giustino and Francesca (Galone)Mantua. On June 23, 2009 in Freeport, Romano married Melissa Cree. He was her best friend and the love of her life. He worked at Eagles Grocery Store for ten years. He then worked at Kelly Springfield Tire Company for 15 years. Romano also owned his own landscaping business and drove a delivery truck. He attended St. Mary'™s Catholic Church and also attended Freeport Catholic Schools. He enjoyed; boating, fishing, hunting, being outdoors and spending time at Turtle Island, watching old western movies and rebuilding cars . He was a jack of all trades and he adored his grandchildren. Survivors include; his ,wife, his parents , one son, Matthew Mantua of Moline, two daughters; Angela Mantua of Thomson and Amber Mantua of Freeport, one brother, Gino (Lori) Mantua of Freeport, one granddaughter, Analisa Handel and one grandson, Aiden Foley, 3 step-sons; Rob Cree, Ray Herrick, and Victor Herrick, He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal Grandparents and his father in law Moses Wallette. Funeral Mass will be Tuesday 10:30 A.M. in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Msgr. P. William McDonnell, pastor will officiate . Visitation will be Monday 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport and then from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at St. Thomas on Tuesday. A memorial has been established for the Make a Wish Foundation. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign the online guestbook