John Paul Romanoski, 98, of Bridgeport, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, in the Rolling Hills Nursing Center. He was born on May 24, 1925, in Wolfhurst. He was a son of the late Anthony and Anna Romanoski. He graduated from St. Josephs Grade School in 1940 and the Bridgeport High School in 1944. John attended the College of Steubenville for four years majoring in physics and mathematics graduating in 1951 with honors. He then went on to study theology for four years at the Francis Seminary in Loretto, PA. For 10 years, John studied for the Priesthood but was never approved by the council. He continued his education at Yale Institute of Dynamic Astronomy in New Haven, CT, and the University of Arizona. He then joined the space program.

John was an U.S. Army veteran. He served in the military from 1944-1946 when he was honorably discharged. He took combat training in Fort Bragg, NC, in artillery and attended clerk school. He served in World War II.  He received both the Army Commendation Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal.

In 1946, John helped organize the Wolfhurst Volunteer Fire Department. The first year the fire department was founded, they answered eleven calls. He had answered over 2,000 fire and emergency calls in his time with the department. Today, the department answers over six hundred calls a year. John remained a chapter member and was the only remaining one. One of the calls that John had to answer was one where his own home was engulfed in flames. John served as a captain for many years. He was essential in helping to raise funds for the department, volunteered at festivals and would go door to door to ask for donations.

Upon returning to the area (1957), John taught college math and chemistry at St. John Vianney in Bloomingdale. He also was an instructor in high school physics and biology. He was a college professor for 3 years. John also taught at St. Joseph Central (Bridgeport) and Belmont Abbey College (Belmont, NC).

John was employed in the space information systems division of the North American Aviation Co., the primary contractor for NASA for the Apollo Moon Project. He helped make the first flight to the moon a successful one. He was a research engineer computing space flights. He had been quoted, "There was a lot of planning for that flight before it actually took place. I went to the moon many times via computer."

After receiving his pension from the Veterans Administration, John continued to volunteer at the Wolfhurst Fire Department and became a volunteer at Hartland Lansing Nursing Home. He had volunteered there for over 25 years. He spent his time reading the newspaper to residents or just spent time talking with them.

Other accomplishments include Eucharistic Minister for St. Joseph Church homebound. He was a lifetime member of the Polish American Club in Wolfhurst. He was also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans of Bellaire.

He is survived by a sister, Rose Marie Zebreski.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Anthony, Stanley, Frank, Joseph, and Bruno Romanoski; and three sisters, Ann Zombeck, Mary Shingle, and Jennie Smith.

Friends may call Friday from 4-7 pm in the Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Rd., Brookside. There will be a Vigil Service Friday at 4 pm and a Volunteer Fire Department Service at 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10 am in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 68210 Neola Ave, Bridgeport, officiated by Father John Mucha. Burial will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens, Pleasant Grove. Full Military Honors will be presented at the cemetery by the Belmont County Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wolfhurst Volunteer Fire Department, 55485 Brand Ave, Bridgeport, OH 43912 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 68210 Neola Ave, Bridgeport.

To express on-line condolences please visit www.wilsonfuneralhomes.com.