Arnold Romaldini

     Arnold Romaldini, 87, of Endwell, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, after a very brief illness.      Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Sante Carlo and Elia Romaldini, née Bensi, originally of Le Marche and Umbria, Italy, respectively; brothers, Eugene Mosca and Carlo Romaldini; nephew, Sante John Romaldini; niece, Paula Marcin; and his beloved wife, Joan.      Arnold was born in Hilldale, Plains Township, PA, on June 10, 1930. At age 10, he contracted osteomyelitis, a debilitating bone disease. After spending months in the hospital battling his infection to no avail, Arnold’s doctors sent him home to die. His mother had other ideas. Through love, faith, and sheer will she nursed him back to health. Arnold went on to graduate from Jenkins Township High School in 1948, and attended Wilkes College with the intention of becoming a veterinarian, but after a short time decided to pursue other avenues. While engaged to the former Joan Urban in the mid-1950s, the couple worked in his family’s poultry business. Quickly tiring of this, Arnold tried his hand at one of his many passions: automobiles. He readily found work around his native Hilldale where he honed his craft, becoming a highly skilled technician and body man, but he soon heard of greater opportunity and higher pay about 80 miles north in a boomtown called Binghamton. Arnold took a job at the Johnson City Garage, working the nightshift repairing EJ trucks while always looking for side jobs to make extra money. His work ethic was unsurpassed. During this time he dabbled in amateur auto racing, driving and serving as his own mechanic, and also souping up cars for friend and one-time employer, Jim Forno. Before long, he had enough capital to found his own car dealership, opening Parkway Auto Sales on the nascent Vestal Parkway in 1962. He was one of the first Datsun (now Nissan) dealers in the country. The Volvo franchise followed several years later. Arnold promptly developed a reputation as a consummately honest businessman, and many of his customers and business acquaintances became lifelong friends. As his business thrived, so did his family. Arnold and Joan had five children whom he loved dearly and took great pride in. Whether boating on Cayuga Lake, taking road trips to see relatives back in Pennsylvania, or preparing and presiding over the weekly Sunday dinner, Arnold always relished spending time with his family, and providing for them was his top priority. Constantly working with his hands, Arnold loved cooking, taking on home improvement projects large and small, and gardening.  He loved fishing, and the annual trip to Sydenham, Ontario, with his brother, sons and nephews was something he eagerly looked forward to. He was a true perfectionist and this showed in everything he did. He was always impeccably dressed for work or other important functions - suit, tie and well-shined shoes were mandatory - and he did his best to keep Sall-Stearns and The Valet Shop in business. In retirement, caring for his cherished fig trees was a favorite pastime. Arnold was fluent in Italian and was a long-time member of the Italian American Association of Luzerne County, by which he was named Italian American of the Year in 2008. His sly laugh, kind smile, and unique wit will be sorely missed by all who enjoyed his company. Arnold fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith.      Arnold is survived by his son, Arnold Jr, and daughter-in-law, Rose, of Wilmington, NC; daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Joseph Emm, of Chenango Forks; son, Mario, and daughter-in-law, Stephanie, of Davidson, NC; son, Michael, and daughter-in-law Suzanne, of Wilmington, NC; son, Paul, and daughter-in-law, Carmen, of Vestal; grandchildren, Stefan, Talia, Nicholas, Lucas, Lena, Corey, Ari and Jesse; and great-granddaughter, Amelia Sante.  Arnold is also survived by sisters and brother-in-law Thelma Stella, and Adele and Samuel James of Pittston, PA, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.    The family will receive friends at the DeMunn Funeral Home, 36 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 10, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament church, 465 Clubhouse Rd., Vestal, at 11:00 a.m., and the Rite of Committal and interment at the Italian Independent Cemetery, 101 Stites St, West Wyoming, PA, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association, 59 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, NY 10573. To forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com.