Orange, CT–Dean Roumanis, the chief operating officer and part owner of audio component manufacturer Krell Industries, passed away Sunday, July 30, after suffering a heart attack. He was 52.
Roumanis was taken to the hospital with chest pains after a long bike ride the previous day. In recent years Roumanis had taken up bike riding as a means of becoming healthier and was a Century Rider (biking 100 miles per day or more) and rode to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Dean began his career at Krell in 1986 and was pivotal in planning and implementing new methodologies and disciplines in manufacturing at the company.
We mourn the passing of Dean Roumanis, long time friend and business partner,” said Krell CEO Dan D’Agostino and Krell president Rondi D’Agostino. “He was a wonderful man with a positive outlook on life–full of energy and vision. Dean brought that positive outlook to Krell. He dealt with challenges with forethought and vision, and a highly developed sense of integrity and compassion. A fine recording engineer and musician in his own right, he was the kind of man you wanted to be around. Family man, lover of life, connoisseur of music and high-end audio, we will miss him immensely.”
Roumanis played double bass in the contemporary jazz band, Acoustic Suburbanites that released the album Watercolors in the spring of 2005. He was also an accomplished piano and drum player. Early in his career Roumanis was an analog recording engineer, founding Roumanis Recording and recording albums for the likes of pianist Richie Bierach, bassist George Mraz, saxophonists Roscoe Mitchell and Gerald Oshita, as well as the legendary pianist Dr. John, a.k.a. Mac Rebennack.
Roumanis was known around the Krell office as a man of principles who had a passion for life, music, and his family. He will leave a lasting impression on many, having introduced one coworker to his wife and acted as the best man for another.
Dean lived in Hamden, Connecticut, and is survived by his wife Sally, son Nate, and daughter Leah.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made online at www.leukemia-lymphoma.org or donations mailed to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Donor Services
P.O. Box 4072
Pittsfield, MA 01202
