Niagara University club hockey player Leaves Dead in Niagara Falls fire

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — Niagara Falls Police tell News 4 Patrick Romano, a member of Niagara University’s club hockey team, died in the Wyoming Avenue house fire in Niagara Falls early Saturday morning.an e-mail to staff and students obtained by News 4, Niagara University President James Maher says words “can’t express the deep sadness experienced across the university community.”The university says Romano was a junior in the sport and recreation management program. Maher also says he was “instrumental in the production and streaming of athletic events with ESPN.”

“This news is devastating to our university community, and the pain that we are feeling, the emptiness that Patrick’s passing leaves for all of us is far-reaching. Together, we are heartbroken by this tragic loss of life,” Maher added.According to Maher, the university has been in touch with Patrick’s family and will continue to offer any support to them that they need.

During NU’s Palm Sunday Mass, the community will join in prayer to honor Patrick and celebrate his life, Maher wrote in the email.

Family and friends are welcome to attend the remembrance at 7 p.m. Sunday at Alumni Chapel or can watch it via livestream here.

Maher says counseling services, the Office of Campus Ministry, and residence life staff will remain available for any individual who may need support. Counseling services can be reached at 716-286-8536 and the Office of Campus Ministry can be reached at 716-286-8400.We ask that you direct all of your thoughts prayers and care to his family, friends, and teammates. #One9,” Mooradian said.

You can read President Maher’s full email to the Niagara University community below:

March 28, 2021Dear members of the Niagara University Community,

We are now able to share with you that it is our student, Patrick Romano, who passed away tragically in the house fire in Niagara Falls early Saturday morning. Words cannot express the deep sadness experienced across the University community – the club hockey team and their coach, our students, our faculty and our staff. Patrick, a junior in the sport and recreation management program, was a member of the university’s club hockey team and was instrumental in the production and streaming of athletic events with ESPN. This news is devastating to our university community, and the pain that we are feeling, the emptiness that Patrick’s passing leaves for all of us is far-reaching. Together, we are heartbroken by this tragic loss of life.

Please know that Patrick’s teammates and coach have gathered together to support one another; members of our Vincentian community and Campus Ministry have been with our students and staff in the Chapel to pray; we have notified faculty and they are reaching out; and Niagara’s counseling staff has been and continues to be available for anyone in our community. We have been in touch with Patrick’s family, and we will continue to offer any support to them that they may need. I ask that we embrace one another, our Niagara family, with the support that is needed at this time.