Richard J. Broglio

Richard J. Broglio, age 82, of Lorain passed away on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at The Woods on French Creek after a lengthy illness.

He was born on March 15, 1940 in Lorain, Ohio to Louis and Clarice Broglio and was a 1958 graduate of Lorain High School. He served in the Army National Guard.

Rich began his career as a roller rink organist in the 1960’s at the Lorain Arena and Crystal Beach in Vermilion. He then spent 35 years as the organist at Brookpark Skateland and played at State, Regional and National Roller Skating Championships on multiple occasions. He was an icon and pioneer who brought all the current radio hits into a live performance format. He created a generational culture and inspired countless musicians to pursue careers in music.

Rich’s musical career also stretched into the theatrical arts, serving for several years on the Board of Directors for Lorain Community Music Theater.

In 1976, he established The Roman Room Restaurant on the corner of Broadway and 20th Street where he cultivated his love of cooking into a successful Italian restaurant. Known for their homemade pasta entrees and awesome cream pies, it was a meeting place for residents of Lorain for many years until it closed in 1991. He also owned Mr. B’s Dockside Café at the Marina.

Following his days in the restaurant industry, he went on to work at Driscol Music as the Keyboard Manager. He was also the Organist and Music Minister at St. Joseph’s Parish in Amherst until his retirement in 2010.

He loved Organ and Piano Music, roller skating, Italian cooking and baking, and loved spending time with his family.

Rich is survived by his brother, Robert Broglio, of Lorain; and his sisters, Joanne Kucirek, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Suzanne (Scott) Trifiletti, of Galena, Ohio; 5 nieces and nephews; and 3 great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Clarice Broglio; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Broglio; and his brother-in-law, Albert Kucirek.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 15, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at St. Peter Church, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, Ohio. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 12:00 noon. Rev. Father Craig Hovanec, Pastor, will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

Contributions may be made in memory of Richard to the St. Peter Music Fund. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com