Romilly Humphries (Rom), 87, died of his own volition on March 5.
Rom was born in Newton, Mass. in 1930 and spent his youth as a “faculty brat” at Phillips Andover Academy where his father taught French. After eighth grade the opportunity to get out from under the strict and close watch of a tough dad was grabbed with gusto. Rom went away to boarding school at Deerfield Academy. Those were fun, spirited and happy years filled with good friends, good learning and good sport. From Deerfield, Rom went on to Trinity College where he again thrived in all areas, majoring in English, playing soccer (All-American twice), squash and baseball. Rom went on to play semi-professional baseball for two summers in a Canadian League. Rom loved baseball. He played shortstop and quipped many a time that there was no better feeling than turning a double play.
Growing up, Rom spent summers on Heron Island: a magical place for a child. It was here he honed his inquisitive and creative mind and developed his love of Maine. Rom had a thing for the rocky coast, boats and the sea.
More importantly it was here that in his 20s, during a summer holiday, he met Betty, his true love, his inspiration, his best friend, his wife of 60-plus years. After graduating and fulfilling his compulsory two years in the Army, he and Betty married and headed off to Hawaii (The Big Island) where he taught English, coached sports and did a lot of body surfing. He introduced the game of soccer to Hawaii, started his family (his eldest daughter Lisa was born there) and helped in the development of what is now The Hawaii Preparatory Academy.
These were wondrous years for the young married couple and Rom and Betty’s time in Hawaii left an indelible mark on Rom’s soul. But the call (namely Betty’s family) sounded loudly after two years, so they returned, somewhat regrettably, to the reality of “the mainland.”
Living in Marblehead, Mass., Rom took a job at a consulting company, attended MIT’s Sloan School of Management and launched his career (with an entrepreneurial focus) that led him to many successful and interesting business ventures culminating in his taking a company from start up to Initial Public Offering in the mid 80s. While in Marblehead he and Betty added another daughter and his first son and met many lifelong friends. In the early 60s they moved to Dover, Mass. and he and Betty had their fourth and final child, another son to even the balance (two girls, two boys). Nice planning.
Rom was a great father. He left work at work and once home enjoyed his family time shooting hoops, grooming the sledding hill out back, tossing the baseball, and playing family tennis and ping-pong. He seemed tireless. He was also rather competitive. He was a great provider; he would and did do anything and everything for his kids. In retirement Rom and Betty split time between their beloved Christmas Cove and their home in Montserrat in the West Indies and later Jekyll Island, Ga. They did everything together.
Rom lost his dear wife Betty in 2013 and with her went a large piece of him. Although he tried, he never fully recovered. Rom’s passing, though heart wrenching, also embodies his strong will and determination.
Rom was also predeceased by his parents, Anna and Floyd; brother, Floyd (Bro); and sister, (Ginny).
He leaves children and their spouses and partners: Lisa Humphries and partner David Klinger, Jeni Humphries, Charlie Humphries and partner Rebecca Dick, and Will Humphries and wife Greta Parsons; adoring grandchildren, Erik, Ian and Eliza Mitchell, Noah and Lila Humphries-LePage, Sam and Tara Humphries, and Kellan and Ethan Humphries; and great-grandchildren, Finley, Silas and Calvin.
A celebration of Rom’s life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer Association or The Rutherford Island Library in Rom’s name.