ROMITO RICHARD E. 82, of New Kensington, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2013 at home. He was born March 7, 1931 in Arnold to the late Andrew S. and Irene V. Rinaldi Romito. Born and raised in Arnold, he graduated from Arnold High School in 1948, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, with a B.A., in 1953. He then acquired his Masters of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation he began his teaching career at Penn Trafford School District until moving to teach at Franklin Regional School District where he also coached track and field. In 1957 he began his career at Arnold Junior High, teaching social studies as well as coaching both the football and basketball teams for the next eight years. He then became principal of Arnold Junior High as well as the assistant principal of Arnold High School. After five years at Arnold Area Schools he moved once again to become the assistant principal, then principal, of Valley High School in 1974, retiring as their principal in 1986. Mr. Romito was the longest tenured principal at Valley High School. He retired from the school district in 1990. In addition to his passion for teaching, Mr. Romito was also a life long member of the Arnold Lions Club and he served as chairman of the first Tri-City Mayors Workshop on Human Relations. He also served as Education Chairman of the March of Dimes, past member of the Board of Directors of the Community Fund, and past board member of the Alle-Kiski Valley Sports Hall of Fame. He also was a retired member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Mr. Romito was a member of Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in New Kensington, where he was a commentator for 50 years and a member of the Holy Name Society. He also enjoyed playing golf, bowling, and traveling, as well as watching his favorite sports teams and listening to music produced by his late son David. Mr. Romito especially enjoyed activities such as sports and dinners with his grandson Peter. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Ann Sabados Romito; son, David Romito; grandson, Timothy Romito; and sisters-in-law, Mary Mullenax and Sally Romito. Surviving are his son, Richard M. Romito and his wife Diane, and their son, Peter Thomas Romito, all of Ashburn, VA; and brothers, Andrew S. Romito, Jr., of Plum Boro and Charles J. (Dee) Romito of Bradenton, FL; and his brother-in-law, Jess Mullenax of Arnold. Viewing will be Monday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. in the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, followed by a funeral mass Tuesday at Mt. Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. To leave an online condolence visit: www.rossgwalker.com Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb