The brother of late former Ohio State goalie Sean Romeo shared an emotional message after the athlete’s sudden death on Saturday, October 24.
“I promise to keep fighting, work hard, love people the way you did, and do everything I can to make you proud,” Luke Romeo wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, October 27. “I just wish you were still here to see it all.”
Sean died from complications of a stroke he suffered on October 15. He was 31.
“Life will never be the same without you here Brother,” Luke said. “You weren’t just my big brother. You were my best friend, my biggest role model, and one of the biggest reasons I’m still here today. You had the biggest heart, could light up any room, and made everyone around you feel like they mattered. Anyone who knew you was lucky to have you in their life.”
He continued, “You were always there for me, especially when I needed you most. You believed in me when I struggled to believe in myself, reminded me of my worth, and gave me tough love when I needed it. You pushed me to be better and never let me give up on myself, even when I wanted to. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without you, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
After playing two seasons at the University of Maine, Sean transferred to Ohio State, where he appeared in 54 games from 2017 to 2019. Following graduation, Sean played for seven different teams in the ECHL before retiring from professional hockey in 2021.
“I’d give anything for one more conversation, one more laugh, or just one more day with you,” Luke said. “I’ll never forget how hard you fought or how you still found ways to make people laugh when things were at their worst. When I told you that you had to get through this, you said, ‘There is no other way.’ I’ll carry those words with me forever.”
He concluded the post, “Cannot wait to see you again! Until then, I’ll carry you with me in everything I do. I love you, Sean. Forever my big brother. Until we meet again.”
Sean and Luke’s mother, Lisa, shared that her late son died “very peacefully” while “surrounded by people who loved him more than words can express.”
The hockey player suffered a second stroke on Thursday, October 22, which led to “bleeding into his brainstem,” Lisa explained via a support page for Sean.
She added, “The damage was simply too extensive, and despite everything the doctors had done and how hard Sean had fought, his body could no longer overcome it.”
