GoFundMe page up for Toms River East Alumni who passed in fire

Condolences continue to pour in for a Toms River High School East Alumni who passed away in a house fire last weekend in the city of Niagara Falls, New York.

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As the Toms River and Ocean County community continues to offer up prayers for Patrick 'Pat' Romano and condolences for his family and the house fire investigation continues in New York, a GoFundMe page has been launched and funeral arrangements made to keep the spirit alive of this beloved hockey player and human being.

Romano graduated Toms River High School East in 2016 and was in his junior year at Niagara University but did not play this season nor did his club team, as reported by BuffaloNews.com, who said it was due to the ongoing pandemic.

The cause of the house fire remains under investigation.

BuffaloNews.com also reported that the house was scheduled for demolition on Monday per Niagara Falls Fire Chief Joseph Pedulla who stated the fire began in the kitchen area of the home.

In the bathroom off of the kitchen area is where Romano was found alone in the home as his housemate wasn't there this past weekend, according to BuffaloNews.com, but results of an autopsy have not yet been disclosed.

Niagara Falls Police, Fire Chief and the Niagara County Deputy Coordinator with the fire investigation team, Denny McAvoy, have not yet returned requests, by Townsquare Media News, for information on the investigation.

Here in Toms River, there will be a wake service hosted by Romano's family who welcomes relatives and friends on Tuesday April 6 from 4-6 pm at Silverton Memorial Funeral home with a funeral mass on Wednesday April 7 at St. Justin the Marty Parish on Fischer Boulevard, according to the obituary posted by Silverton Memorial Funeral Home.

"He is survived by his parents Patrick and Charlene Romano of Toms River, loving Grandfather, Joseph Bill, uncles, aunts, cousins and countless friends in who's heart he will live forever. He is predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Rita Bill and paternal grandparents, Joseph and Claire Romano."

Pat was also a big hockey fan and enjoyed watching and rooting for the Philadelphia Flyers, in football for the New York Jets and in basketball, the New York Knicks, according to his Twitter page.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to help the family and condolences are pouring in for a dear son, nephew, grandson and friends from all over the Toms River, Ocean County and Niagara Falls communities.