It is with profound sadness, and with hearts full of cherished memories, that the family of Michael Romanelli announces his passing on March 21, 2026, at the age of 61. He was born on June 26, 1964, at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, New York, to James D. and Barbara Romanelli. Michael’s life was filled with family, friends, love, and craftsmanship. He was an unrivaled storyteller who delighted in bringing laughter to those around him.

Michael grew up in Massapequa, New York. He was raised in the “pink house” on Ocean Avenue behind his father’s funeral home, alongside his four beloved siblings, including his “younger” twin sister Michele, who was born five minutes later. He moved with his family to a house on a canal of the Great South Bay where he developed an early and lifelong love of the water, spending free moments boating with friends and soaking in the beauty of the bay. 

His childhood was rich with family, shaped not only by his parents but by the enduring presence of his grandparents, James and Lucille Romanelli and Adalgesio and Ann Nappi. The Romanelli family later moved to Brookville, where they kept a barn full of horses—including Michael’s favorite pony, McCloud—and opened their home to countless stray cats as well as Lassie, the Sheltie, and Samantha, the family’s first Doberman. 

Michael eventually settled in Coral Springs, Florida, with his mother and siblings. It was in Florida that Michael discovered boxing, going on to compete in the Junior Olympics in Miami, an early testament to the grit and determination that would define him throughout his life. 

Michael carried that same dedication into his career. Learning the craft of carpentry from a young age, he pursued it with the precision and pride of a true artisan. He returned to New York and built a remarkable reputation, lending his exceptional skills to celebrity homes and flagship retail spaces alike. Michael was a perfectionist in the very best sense—his work was not just a job, it was a reflection of who he was.

Among Michael’s many joys in life were frequent trips to Moore, Montana, where he spent his days hiking, hunting, and four-wheeling and went on his first cattle drive with his father. The family ranch was a special place for gatherings and exploring the adjoining Lewis and Clark National Forest where many afternoons were spent at Crystal Lake.

In recent years, he made his home at Heatherwood at Pine Hills Golf Course in Manorville, where he built a community and was a friend to all his neighbors. On any given day, Michael could be seen riding his bicycle or segway, enjoying a great meal with a glass of merlot, or listening to live music with friends.

Above all else, Michael was the life of every room he walked into. Boisterous, witty, and utterly magnetic, it was impossible to feel anything other than joy in his presence. Yet beneath all the laughter and light was a man of profound generosity and selflessness, one who would drop everything for the people he loved and quietly go above and beyond for those who needed him most. He was a tremendous presence in the lives of his nieces and nephews, helping to shape them into the wonderful people they are today.

Michael is survived by his mother, Barbara Romanelli; his siblings, Lucille Romanelli Cavalli (Anthony N.), James Romanelli (Nancy), Jeanine Peters (Scott), and Michele Gallant (Randy); his nephews and nieces, Anthony C. Cavalli (Kate), Lauren Cavalli, Stephanie Folsom (Joe), Ashley Soto (Chris), James Wadsworth (Shara), Nicole Wadsworth, James V. Romanelli, and Michael G. Romanelli. He is reunited in heaven with his father, James D. Romanelli.