Obituary for Nelson Roman
Our family patriarch, Nelson Roman, passed away in his sleep on December 25th at home surrounded by his wife of 65 years and four children.
It’s tempting to sum up his life’s work by remembering that he was a proud former New York City firefighter and U.S. Army vet. But his dedication to public service really started at home: his biggest honor was the role of husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa.
Nelson Roman was born on April 2, 1933 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico to Rafael Roman and Esperanza Collazo. When he was an infant, his parents migrated to East Harlem, a growing enclave of Puerto Ricans seeking better opportunities. Rafael made his living as a cigar-roller. Nelson, the oldest of four sons, graduated from Samuel Gompers High School, a trade school in the Bronx.
His first tour of selfless public service was in his early 20s, when he served his country as a private in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, when he was stationed in Europe.
When he returned from military service in 1955, he caught a glimpse of his best friend’s neighbor, Aurea Esther, and said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. They married in 1956 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls without much money or even a hotel reservation.
After working as an apprentice draftsman for Con Edison, in 1959 he joined the New York City Fire Dept., becoming one of the very first Hispanic firemen in the department’s history.
In the 1970s, he was stationed in the 41 Engine in the South Bronx. This most dangerous period was known as when “the Bronx was burning.” He risked his life daily to help keep his home borough safe. Once, while battling a raging three-alarm fire in the South Bronx, the roof collapsed and flames engulfed his face. By this time a father of four, to assure his family that he was fine, Nelson came home injured, his face burned -- but still in full uniform. He later served in Engine 70 in City Island.
One of his proudest moments was when his grandson Jonathan became a member of the FDNY in 2015 and received his shield number.
While still fighting fires, Nelson also owned a laundromat and a boarding house.
Together he and Aurea raised four children in the Baychester area of the Bronx. Their home was an oasis of family and love where Nelson and Aurea also helped raise several nieces, nephews and a grandson, Nelson Douglas. This past September they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in a beautiful outdoor ceremony and service presided by Aurea.
Nelson loved to preside over family festive celebrations and trips to far flung places, often with grand themes and fun props. Leading 15 Romans in tow, he visited the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, California, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Alaska. For his 80th birthday party, the entire family dressed as firefighters. For their 50th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows, he sported full tuxedo dress with a top hat while his son, the Hon. Nelson S. Roman, officiated.
An avid sportsman, he loved to play basketball, softball and paddle ball even into his later years. He stayed true to his Bronx roots and was a lifelong Yankee fan.
He is survived by his wife Aurea Esther; four children: Diana Roman; Esther Roman-Halcomb; Nelson Roman (Carol); and Elizabeth Magrath (Charlie). He also leaves his grandchildren: Nelson Douglas Roman (Mirka); Jennifer Halcomb (Gino); Melissa Magrath-Carruthers (David); Jonathan Halcomb (Jennifer); Kelly Magrath (Jason); Ariana and Andres Roman; nieces and nephews: Yolanda Jordan, Helen Rivera, Herbin Souchet, Duane Eric Jordan and Ramon Vega, and two great-grandchildren: Charlie Aurea Carruthers and Elliot Nelson Roman.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to express sympathy consider a donation in Nelson Roman’s name to Iglesia Pentecostal Alpha & Omega Inc. in Mount Vernon.
Aurea helped found this special church years ago, and Nelson encouraged and helped financially support these efforts. You can have your donation deposited directly into the Church’s bank account using Chase QuickPay with Zelle.
Go to https://www.zellepay.com/ and click on "Get Started" and then select your bank from the list.
When asked for e-mail address enter: ayomega1965@gmail.com and your donation will be deposited to the church’s Chase Bank account. Add in the memo line that the donation is in memory of Nelson Roman.
It’s tempting to sum up his life’s work by remembering that he was a proud former New York City firefighter and U.S. Army vet. But his dedication to public service really started at home: his biggest honor was the role of husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa.
Nelson Roman was born on April 2, 1933 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico to Rafael Roman and Esperanza Collazo. When he was an infant, his parents migrated to East Harlem, a growing enclave of Puerto Ricans seeking better opportunities. Rafael made his living as a cigar-roller. Nelson, the oldest of four sons, graduated from Samuel Gompers High School, a trade school in the Bronx.
His first tour of selfless public service was in his early 20s, when he served his country as a private in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, when he was stationed in Europe.
When he returned from military service in 1955, he caught a glimpse of his best friend’s neighbor, Aurea Esther, and said she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. They married in 1956 and honeymooned in Niagara Falls without much money or even a hotel reservation.
After working as an apprentice draftsman for Con Edison, in 1959 he joined the New York City Fire Dept., becoming one of the very first Hispanic firemen in the department’s history.
In the 1970s, he was stationed in the 41 Engine in the South Bronx. This most dangerous period was known as when “the Bronx was burning.” He risked his life daily to help keep his home borough safe. Once, while battling a raging three-alarm fire in the South Bronx, the roof collapsed and flames engulfed his face. By this time a father of four, to assure his family that he was fine, Nelson came home injured, his face burned -- but still in full uniform. He later served in Engine 70 in City Island.
One of his proudest moments was when his grandson Jonathan became a member of the FDNY in 2015 and received his shield number.
While still fighting fires, Nelson also owned a laundromat and a boarding house.
Together he and Aurea raised four children in the Baychester area of the Bronx. Their home was an oasis of family and love where Nelson and Aurea also helped raise several nieces, nephews and a grandson, Nelson Douglas. This past September they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in a beautiful outdoor ceremony and service presided by Aurea.
Nelson loved to preside over family festive celebrations and trips to far flung places, often with grand themes and fun props. Leading 15 Romans in tow, he visited the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, California, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Alaska. For his 80th birthday party, the entire family dressed as firefighters. For their 50th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows, he sported full tuxedo dress with a top hat while his son, the Hon. Nelson S. Roman, officiated.
An avid sportsman, he loved to play basketball, softball and paddle ball even into his later years. He stayed true to his Bronx roots and was a lifelong Yankee fan.
He is survived by his wife Aurea Esther; four children: Diana Roman; Esther Roman-Halcomb; Nelson Roman (Carol); and Elizabeth Magrath (Charlie). He also leaves his grandchildren: Nelson Douglas Roman (Mirka); Jennifer Halcomb (Gino); Melissa Magrath-Carruthers (David); Jonathan Halcomb (Jennifer); Kelly Magrath (Jason); Ariana and Andres Roman; nieces and nephews: Yolanda Jordan, Helen Rivera, Herbin Souchet, Duane Eric Jordan and Ramon Vega, and two great-grandchildren: Charlie Aurea Carruthers and Elliot Nelson Roman.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, those who wish to express sympathy consider a donation in Nelson Roman’s name to Iglesia Pentecostal Alpha & Omega Inc. in Mount Vernon.
Aurea helped found this special church years ago, and Nelson encouraged and helped financially support these efforts. You can have your donation deposited directly into the Church’s bank account using Chase QuickPay with Zelle.
Go to https://www.zellepay.com/ and click on "Get Started" and then select your bank from the list.
When asked for e-mail address enter: ayomega1965@gmail.com and your donation will be deposited to the church’s Chase Bank account. Add in the memo line that the donation is in memory of Nelson Roman.