Romano J. Micciche

Romano J. Micciche, 81, of Naples, FL and West Harwich, formerly of Natick and Needham, passed away peacefully at home in West Harwich on Tue. Nov. 26, surrounded by family.  His six children and 16 grandchildren meant everything to him.

Romano, Jr. (Darleen) Peter, Jeffrey, Andrew of San Clemente, CA, Michelle Dowling (Ralph), Daniel, Kevin, Colleen of Stoneham, MA, Corinne Jann (Terry) Alyssa, TJ, Ryan of Westford, MA, Janice McNeill, Matthew, Maureen, Cameron of Millis, MA, Kenneth (Loren) Erica, Kyle of Dedham, MA and Dave - Alex, Brendan of Florence, SC.  Mitch was born in Medford, MA, October 5,1938, the 2nd son of Flora (Gianetta) and Frank Micciche. He graduated from Winchester (MA) HS in 1955 then joined the US Marine Corps at age 17.  At age 19, he married his high school sweetheart, Maureen (McGrath).  He and Maureen enjoyed many summers with their children on Ocean Ave. and Footbridge Beach in Ogunquit, Maine.  In 1972 they joined the Wellesley Country Club and enjoyed playing golf and tennis. Mitch was very active in coaching Youth Hockey and Baseball in Needham where he and Maureen raised their 6 children. He was the first salesman for a small medical device company in Newton called Advanced Instruments. It had fewer than 15 employees.  Soon he became Sales Manager; then President and CEO. The company moved from Newton to Needham and ended up in Norwood.  Under Mitch’s leadership, it grew to125 employees.  Advanced Instruments was a market leader in laboratory equipment and medical device manufacturing and distribution. While overseeing this rapid growth, Mitch made time to attend Suffolk University and earn a Masters in Business Administration.  Before he retired at age 61, he traveled the world to thank his global agents and introduce them to his replacement.  Back in Norwood, he cared about every employee and assured them the company was debt-free, and in good hands going into the future.

  The biggest heartbreak of his life was losing Maureen to cancer in 1996 when she was just 57. It derailed him a long time but his kids and their 6 spouses supported him through a very trying time.  He played golf, and became friendly with Dave Hadden, a bank executive who used to get under his skin as a chatterbox opponent on the softball field. They became good friends and one evening, Dave talked Mitch into giving him a check for a share in what would become one of the hottest new restaurants in Boston, No. 9 Park.  It did well, so he got his money back and more…and now he had a place to sip vodka martinis on Park Street in Boston.

 In 1999, Mitch married Marilyn (McGreevy) and they enjoyed 20 wonderful years of marriage. 

Mitch and Marilyn moved from Natick, MA to Naples, FL in 2019 and spent 10+ years enjoying golf, tennis and wonderful friends at The Vineyards Country Club in North Naples. Added bonus was Marilyn’s parents, Tom and Mary Jane McGreevy, lived nearby in Pelican Bay. Four years ago, Miss Molly McButter came into their lives; an enthusiastic, loving golden retriever that Mitch gave to Marilyn for Christmas.  When Mitch was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2016 they made frequent trips back and forth to Dana Farber in Boston.  They decided to move back to New England for continued treatment. With the help of good friends Tom and Cindy Connelly, they were able to have a place to stay in Kennebunkport, Maine and South Natick, MA during treatments.  Since May, in West Harwich on Cape Cod.  The family would like to thank Dr. Caron Jacobson and her associates at The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the loving professionals of VNA Hospice of Cape Cod for their commitment to Mitch during his journey. Mitch was predeceased by his brother Michael (Barbara) of York, Maine.

 Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave., Needham, on Monday December 2nd from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, 1362 Highland Ave, Needham, on Tuesday morning, December 3rd at 10am. Burial with full military honors in Newton Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a donation in Mitch’s name to The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA  02215 or VNA Hospice of Cape Cod, 434 Route 134, So. Dennis, MA 02660

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