I met Roman as a young girl growing up on Midland Place. I always used to ride my bike by his house and chat with him and his mom.

He would spend hours on end trying to teach me Ukranian.

Roman was a great guy who had a heart of gold who touched so many people. He was an inspiration to us all.

Rest in Peace Roman. Thanks so much for the fond memories of Midland Place and the Ukranian teachings.

I will miss you dearly.

I just wanted to add to my entry that Roman was a gift to us all, through his warm smile and warm ways he really taught people how to love one another and to get along.

I will miss him greatly.

My sincere condolences to his wife and son.

Dear Irena and Orest,
I knew Roman from Plast and will always remember him as a kind and loving person. I am sure that he continues to watch over you from his place in heaven. May God's peace be with you during this time of sorrow. A Sluzhba Bozha will be celebrated for the repose of Roman's soul in Stamford, CT on 3/20.
Vichnaya Pam'yat' Romkovi!
Christina (Slevinsky) Kowinko

I was very sorry to hear of the death of Roman. He was a kind and principled man, many years ago he was a vykhovnyk of mine at PLAST camps. He was earnest and giving, and straightforward. My heart goes out to all your Clan at this difficult time. I am sure Roman will be your Protector now and henceforth in Life eternal as he was in earthly Life. Orest, our paths have never crossed but as others in this book have said, your father was a fine and caring man, a man of example. Cherish his memory! Vichna yomu pamyat!

Irena and Orest - although yesterday at Lytwyn's I couldn't personally express my condolences for Roman - my mother, Rea, and brother, Orest, were both amazed at how many people did. We listened to the many friends, colleagues, and well wishers who expressed their sincere feelings and ememories regarding Roman's life. He was selfless, dedicated, loyal and most of all he was Roman - there is no other and never will be. There were many mornings at Vovcha Tropa in New York when Roman would get his Novaky together to face another day - and they all admired him for his caring and sharing. When we sang "Nych vsze ide" last night it was most fitting, Roman and I ended many nights that way.

He will now only be with us in spirit, but that spirit will last forever. A true good spirit in life, he will continue the same.... Vinchnaya Pamyat, from Mimo

He was a proud member of the Giblin Association and a great supporter and friend. He had many friends in this Association and we will never forget him. This Sunday on Valentine's Day is the Giblin Association annual cocktail party and Roman was always there with his son to lend a hand. He will be with us on Sunday in spirit and continue to be with us always. Thank you Roman for your friendship, you have peace now, rest with your God, you will always be remembered.

Теплі спогади про єдину зустріч залишилися на все життя... Спочивай з Богом, Романе.
Найщиріші співчуття Ірині і Оресту.
Олесь Дубас з родиною.

We will remember our neighbor and friend, Roman, always. He was called the Mayor of Midland Place for his friendliness and interest in our community. His early passing from this earth is a tremendous shock. We pray for him and offer our condolences to Irene and Orest.

We will always remember Roman as a wonderful "bratchyk" in the Newark Plast "hurtok" where our oldest son was a novak and which Roman guided for a number of years. All the boys loved Roman and so did their parents.

Roman was a gift to all of us. It took some of us a while to figure it out, but Roman was one of God's secret agents, placed in our midst to teach us what life is really about. He taught us that life is not about being "cool". It is about being good. Roman was honest, incredibly loyal and enormously resilient. Nothing could keep Roman down. He was always a real people person. He genuinely wanted to be your friend, and he was always ready to help.
Orest, know that there are few people on earth who have fathers as totally devoted to their sons as your father was to you. He won't be driving you around to everything anymore. He won't be there physically, but he is very much alive and he is praying for you right now and blessing you from the abodes of the just. You will meet him again someday. Keep him proud of you. Your father is a great man. If you can be half the man he was, you will be great too. If you can carry yourself with humility and optimism through life's struggles, you will be a true heir of your father's legacy.
Irena, your husband was a gift to us. Please accept our sincerest condolences and assurances of prayers for his eternal happiness and for you and your son as you face the grief of his sudden departure. Хай з Богом спочиває. Вічна йому пам'ять!
о. Андрій і Галя Чировські
Fr. Andriy and Halyna Chirovsky

Dear Irena and Orest, with great sadness we heard of Roman’s untimely passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. Our grandson, Andryi McMeekin, is Orest’s very good. Unfortunately Andryi is away on vacation and he asked us to convey his condolences to you Orest. May the Almighty Lord rest Roman’s soul in His Heavenly Kingdom and to you may He give strength to endure this hardship.
Fr. Yuryi and Oksana Bazylevsky and
McMeekin Family

It is always a shock to hear of someone passing away at such an early age. It is hardest on his son and wife, they have to continue to live with only Roman's memory - whereas his physical pain and suffering has ended and he is now back again with his parents. We were bratchyky in PLAST, meeting at Vyshkyl and later serving on several bulavy together, culminating in Roman being my Hnizdoviy when I was Newark's Koshoviy. Romko touched the lives of many, and he asked for nothing in return... Vichnaya Pamyat my tovarish.

Vichnaya Pamjiat. Deepest sympathy to his
family. Prayers and Blessings for peace.

Vichnaya Pamjiat to a wonderful friend and sports enthusiast!

Dearest Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of beloved Roman. I will miss him and always have fond memories. I will always recall "What a joy to have had a friend who was never bad, and that that were only a few that were as nice as you." Until we meet again - remembering the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."Do not fear, only believe." (Mark 5:36).

My Deepest Sympathy to Roman's Family.. He always had a positive attitude ,with a warm sense of humor and always knew where he wanted to go.May God Bless Him and Guide His family and bring peace to all in spite of a devastating loss.

I extend my sincere condolences to Roman's family and echo all of my classmates comments. Having grown up down the street from ST. John's in Vailsburg I too have many fond memories of our brother Roman and am glad that I had the chance to visit with him at our recent reunion. We will surely miss his unfailing positive attitude and good humor.

Roman was my classmate at the prep. He always had a smile on his face and a very positive attitude. I remember speaking with him at our 35th high school reunion in January. I was very happy to see him especially after his recent medical procedure. He will be missed but he will be remembered as a good soul. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during these trying times.

I am sorry to hear of Roman's passing. He was bright, energetic and warm hearted, always with a kind word for everyone he met. He was a good man. Roman looked forward to being inducted into the Democratic Hall of Fame in Essex County. He was certainly deserving of that. May he rest in peace.

I am so sorry to hear of Roman's passing. I prayed for his speedy recovery from heart surgery and was so glad to hear he went to our class reunion. Roman had so many great qualities and touched many lives during our time at the Prep. I know there are no words that can ease your sorrow but I hope that in the coming months and years you find comfort in knowing Roman was greatly respected by his classmates of the Prep. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I am totally stunned by the sudden death of Roman. He always had a smile on his face and genuinely cared about others. He possessed a kind soul. I enjoy knowing Roman thru Plast and the Ukrainian community. He will be missed!

Many of Roman's classmates gathered for a Seton Hall Prep Reunion in early January. I had not seen Roman in years and was aware of some health issues. He was his energetic self that evening and it should remind us all that death has no timetable. Roman, we tip your SHP hat in prayer to your family...Ed Fagan (SHP 1974)

I first met Roman in Plast camp back in 1965. Although we saw each other infrequently, it was always good to see him. He wasa warm and good natured person and he will be missed by many.

I have known Roman for many years through his work with Essex County, the democratic party and the Giblin Association. He was a kind man with a warm and giving heart, always with a smile and a kind word. He was devoted to his family, so proud of his son and loyal to his friends. We will miss him very much.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Roman's wife and son. I have known Roman since first grade at St. John's. He was a kind and gentle soul who will be truly missed by all who have known him. Vichnaya pamyat!