Air Force veteran, commercial airline pilot who loved to travel the world

Published March 11, 2021

NORTH READING — Christopher A. Romig, 74, of North Reading, passed away on Tuesday, March 2 with his devoted daughter and brother at his side. He was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth J. (Andrews) Romig, who also passed away too soon in August 2020.

Born in Medford, Chris is the eldest son of the late Dean and Grace (Sherman) Romig. One of four brothers, he and his family resided in Danvers for most of his upbringing, moving to Reading in 1964. He was educated in Danvers and a graduate of Reading High School. Chris was in the Air Force working as a mechanic in the reserves. He then furthered his education at North Shore Community College where he studied aviation.

For over 45 years, Chris worked as a commercial and corporate pilot for various airlines and companies, including GTE, Jet Aviation and Atlas Airlines, where he was a Captain flying Boeing 747-400 aircraft, the largest airplane at the time. Despite being proficient at flying larger aircraft, his favorite airplane always remained the Challenger. He was proud of his career, and always acted with the utmost dignity and integrity in his professional pursuits as well as his life in general.

Chris was able to travel the world because of his occupation, and had a deep love for visiting different countries all over the world. Chris was friendly, always willing to strike up a conversation with anyone, including strangers. He loved making new acquaintances, joking around, and exploring the cities where he went. He not only became aware of many different cultures and customs, but also used to kid around that he was an amateur international food critic; he talked at length about the different foods and cooking techniques he learned about in places from Frankfurt, Germany, to Shenzhen, China, to Johannesburg, South Africa, and many more.

Chris enjoyed traveling with his family as well. He took the family to many destinations, including Boothbay Harbor in Maine, Vermont, Washington, D.C., Amsterdam, and Italy, as well as maintaining a special attachment to Orlando, Florida, where he and Elizabeth honeymooned in 1980 and returned many times as a family.

Whether he was vacationing or relaxing at home, Chris enjoyed good books of many different genres. Whether reading action-packed novels, adventuresome thrillers, or science fiction, he read voraciously. He shared this love for reading with his daughter and many other family members. As a young man, Chris enjoyed skiing, amateur race-car driving, and was a member of The Danvers Fish & Game Club as well as The Andover Sportsman’s Club.

Chris was a worthy opponent at word games and thoroughly enjoyed playing them with his wife. Dining at restaurants with family and friends, and going out for ice cream were always on his to-do lists. He always had an extra Hershey’s Kiss in his pocket to surprise people with. An affable man, Chris enjoyed sharing in good conversations. He maintained an “entrepreneurial spirit,” and loved to read and discuss ideas. Spending time with family and friends was his favorite pastime, and he loved to make others smile and laugh.

Chris’s life was meaningful, despite ending sooner than he deserved. Although his final years were not the easiest, we will keep the many great experiences and memories of him close to our hearts. He’ll forever be missed and loved by his family and friends.

Christopher was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth (Andrews) Romig and the cherished father of Stephanie Gangi and her husband, Matthew, of Woburn. He is also survived by his dear brothers, Dean Romig and his wife Kathy of Andover; John Romig and his wife Linda Lichtman of Arlington; and Steve Wexler-Romig and his wife Debra of Framingham. He is also survived by loving nieces and nephews: Jen Woods and family of Derry, N.H.; Melissa Leeds and family of Derry, N.H.; Matthew Wexler-Romig of Framingham; Molly Wexler-Romig of Jamaica Plain; and several other caring family members and friends.

Relatives and friends were invited to briefly pay their respects on Sunday, March 7 at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn. A graveside service was held on Monday, March 8 in Calvary Cemetery, Winchester at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christopher’s memory to the National Kidney Foundation, 209 W, Central St,, Natick, MA 01760, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.