Romeo Lemay Remembered at Memorial Ceremony
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The local writer and longtime Safety Harbor resident passed away on September 28th.
Romeo Lucien Lemay, a longtime Safety Harbor resident and accomplished writer and poet, passed away unexpectedly on September 28, 2013. He was 89.
The respected and beloved Lemay was born in Canada and moved to Safety Harbor in 1983. He was a member of local writers clubs, and he loved to share his opinions while simultaneously inspiring other people.
During a memorial ceremony held on October 7th at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, those in attendance remembered Lemay as a fun loving, thought provoking man of many words.
“Romeo did woodworking, he was into acting, he wrote books,” Deacon Dominic Friscia said. “He loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved people. He used the gifts God had given him. He achieved the purpose God had created for him.”
Lemay’s son, Tim, choked back tears as he fondly recalled his father.
“The stories my father left will be with us forever,” he said. “He loved to write, he loved to read, and he to be around others who did as well, and I think that’s true for many of you here, and that’s why he loved to be around you.”
“Someone said you haven’t lived until you’ve done something for someone and never been repaid. And I think by that measure, Romeo lived more than a full life.”
Lemay self-published two books, entitled Short Stories I and Short Stories II, Fact, Fiction, Fantasies and Foolishness.
An excerpt from one of his stories called “A Good Book – A Good Friend” was printed on a bookmark that was handed out at the service, and the quote serves as a perfect summary of what Romeo was all about:
“I have found it very painful to read the final pages of many books that remain friends of mine. To finish reading some books is like the last moment before someone you love departs for awhile or forever. Closing the cover after completing it requires more mental strength than physical power.”
R.I.P., Romeo. You will be forever missed but never forgotten.
