Key Takeaways
- Emerson Romero balanced a successful career and community involvement with a strong commitment to his family, including his wife Connie and their two hearing kids, Rod and Dorene.
- The Romero family lived in Farmingdale for 31 years before planning a retirement move to Boulder, Colorado, to be closer to their adult kids.
- Despite Emerson’s many public achievements, his roles as a husband and father were central to his identity, demonstrating that even pioneering figures often find their greatest fulfillment in family life.
While Emerson “Em” Romero’s name resonates with many for his pioneering work in captioned films and his presence in the deaf community, his role as a husband and father often remains in the shadows.
This article sheds light on the family life of this remarkable man who balanced his numerous pursuits with the joys and challenges of raising a family.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, today’s Doodle honors Cuban American silent film actor Emerson Romero, who innovated some of the first techniques to make films accessible for Deaf people. pic.twitter.com/8bVi20Q6R4
— Mel (@Mel16934007) September 19, 2024
In 1936, Emerson’s life took a romantic turn when he met his wife, Emma “Connie” Corneliussen, through his involvement with the Theatre Guild of the Deaf.
Connie, a graduate of the Minnesota School for the Deaf and Gallaudet College, was working as a teacher of handicrafts and gymnastics at the New York School for the Deaf.
The couple fell in love and eloped that same year with Edgar Bloom, who later became president of the New Jersey Association of the Deaf, serving as best man.
The Romeros initially set up a home in the Queens neighborhoods of Woodside and Woodhaven.
However, when Emerson secured a position at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, Suffolk County, they made a significant move.
The couple purchased a bungalow at 29 Cedar Avenue in Farmingdale, which would serve as their family home for the next 31 years.
Emerson and his wife Connie went on to have two kids, both with normal hearing.
Their son, Rod, demonstrated a keen intellect from an early age.
He pursued higher education with vigor, ultimately earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Rod later married and ventured into the real estate business in Boulder, Colorado.
The Romeros’ daughter, Dorene, exhibited a flair for languages and international studies.
She obtained her degree from the renowned Sorbonne in Paris, showcasing the family’s commitment to education.
After graduation, Dorene briefly taught in New York City for a year before joining her brother’s real estate office as a secretary in Boulder.
Despite his numerous professional and community engagements, Emerson prioritized family time.
He and his wife, Connie, made a conscious effort to spend as much time as possible with their kids before college and marriage took them away from home.
The Romero household wasn’t complete without their beloved dog, affectionately named “Brown Nose.”
And a bonus for #DisabilityPrideMonth:
— Jaipreet Virdi (@jaivirdi) July 14, 2021
A 1955 photograph of Emerson Romero with his wife Connie, and his cousin Cesar Romero, aka TV's Joker ! https://t.co/EJmFDlpcFe pic.twitter.com/iTbH8Gfx7H
In 1972, as Emerson approached retirement, the Romeros made a significant decision to relocate.
They planned a move to Boulder, Colorado, to be closer to their kids.
This new chapter in their lives promised a slower pace, with Emerson and Connie looking forward to enjoying their new ranch home, playing bridge, and admiring the beautiful mountain views.
Throughout his life, Emerson Romero wore many hats – actor, innovator, community leader, and businessman.
However, his roles as a loving husband to Connie and a devoted father to Rod and Dorene remained central to his identity.
As Emerson and Connie prepared for their new life in Colorado, they carried with them a lifetime of memories, achievements, and, most importantly, the love and respect of their children.
Their journey together, from their elopement in 1936 to their retirement plans in 1972, showcased a family that supported each other through life’s many adventures and challenges.
In the end, while the world may remember Emerson Romero for his contributions to the deaf community and his entrepreneurial spirit, those closest to him will cherish the memories of a man who always made time for his family despite his busy life.
The Romero family story reminds us that behind every great public figure, there’s often a rich and nurturing family life that provides the foundation for their success.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Emerson Romero co-founded the Theatre Guild of the Deaf in New York City.
- His innovations paved the way for modern closed captioning and subtitles, making media more accessible to people with hearing impairments.
