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Condolences:

Richard (Choo-Choo) Germano

2020-09-23

It is with deep sorrow that we announce Mr. Richard (Choo Choo) Rosario Germano, of Yulee, died on Monday, September 21, 2020 following a brief illness. He was born in Waycross, Ga. and was the son of Richard Diego Germano and Ida Salvatrice Spatola Germano. He was 78 years old and was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Choo Choo graduated from Waycross High School in 1960. He also attended University of Georgia and Valdosta State College.

Choo Choo was a passionate businessman; he was the owner of Richard�s Shoe Store and Richard�s Department Store of Waycross as well as New Ideal Department Store in Birmingham, Alabama. He later moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida where he owned The Crab Trap Restaurant, Amelia Hotel at the Beach and Amelia Dream Cars. Choo Choo enjoyed restoring antique cars, fishing, boating and he was an MG enthusiast. Choo Choo�s biggest passion in life was his family and friends. He adored his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Time spent at Papa Choo Choo�s house was very special for all of them. He made life-long friends where ever he would go.

Choo Choo is survived by his former wife, Doris Beasley Germano of Blackshear, his children Holly Germano of Fernandina Beach, Tina (husband Mitch) Germano-Tillman of Waycross, Heidi (husband Jamie) Germano-Bracewell of Jekyll Island, Choo Choo (wife Reginna) Germano of Waycross. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Dustin (wife Stacy) Benecke of Cape May, New Jersey, Christian (wife Beth) Benecke of Tampa, Carly (husband Evan) Durden of Blackshear, Jaden Forgason of Waycross, Max Wohlfarth of Fernandina Beach, Claire Wohlfarth of Yulee, Ayla Germano of Brunswick, Aryn Germano of Tifton, and Fisher Germano of Waycross. Richard also had nine great-grandchildren Madison and Mikenna Benecke, Abigail, Isaac and Judah Benecke, Judson and Harper Durden, Theo Wohlfarth and Koen Germano. Choo Choo is survived by his brother, Ricky Germano of Waycross and much-loved cousins.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made to: Waycross Discovery Montessori School, Inc. a Non-profit 501 c3, to the scholarship-fund Visit the Website @ https://www.discoverymontessorischool.us/scholarship-fund or mail to: WDMS 711 Satilla Blvd. Waycross, Ga 31501 or to Micah�s Place Domestic Violence Center at http://www.micahsplace.org/.

A private service will be held for immediate family.

Memories

CRAIG + CAROL CAMPBELL September 24, 2020
Truly sorry for your family�s loss.
May your cherished memories sustain you at this sad time.

MOI MONROE September 24, 2020
Big Choo Choo will be missed, I always enjoyed catching up with him listening to his stories about business opportunities and cars. My condolences to all the family.
Moi Monroe

GLEN AND JILL MOORE September 24, 2020
Choo Choo was also knows as Mr. MG as he was one of the most knowledgeable people on MGs and restoration of MG cars in the world. He was generous with his time, sharing his collection and his knowledge with others. He will be missed in many ways.

RICK & JAN SEVCECH September 24, 2020
What a kind and generous soul! We will miss him terribly, . Wish we had know Choo Choo longer. He was loved by many people.

LOREN AND BOBBI LUM September 24, 2020
Please accept our deepest condolences. He will be missed!

MARVIN HOPKINS September 24, 2020
We sent our sincere sympathy such a great man!

CHRIS AND BILL BRYAN September 24, 2020
So sorry for the loss of Choo Choo. He was wonderful to our community and always a joy to see. Prayers for the family.

DENNIS ADAMS September 24, 2020
Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family.

JOSIE C MCQUAIG September 24, 2020
So sorry for your loss . He was a very nice person and always had a smile . Praying for the family ?

LEO AND CONNIE BUSBY September 24, 2020
We are very sorry for your loss. He was a very special man. He will be greatly missed.

BILL TURK September 24, 2020
Choo Choo was a legend when I was growing up in Waycross. My Dad greatly respected him and his family and we offer our prayers for his family.

CELE BULLARD September 24, 2020
I have sweet memories of seeing all the MGs Choo Choo worked so passionately on and of all the children proudly driving those cars around town. Prayers for all.

MIKE AND NANCY GILL September 24, 2020
What a loving caring man that was truly interested in what others had to say. You will be missed Choo Choo. Prayers for the family.

STUART H. SAUSSY September 24, 2020
Richard was a great man and I have so many fond memories growing up down the street. The entire Family is in our thoughts and prayers.

CONNIE MONROE BOLTON September 24, 2020
I have such fond memories of Choo Choo! We were neighbors growing up, and he & Doris raised their children there, too. He became my hero when I was two yrs old as he held me in his arms when our home�s heater caught on fire. I felt very safe in Choo Choo�s arms . May his beautiful family know the peace of God even as they grieve.

CAROLYN GILL September 25, 2020
My condolence to the family. I heard it mentioned many times how much he loved his family.

SANDRA GARBUTT September 25, 2020
My deepest sympathy to the family. He had one of the best smiles ever and was always so energetic!. He sold great shoes! My deceased husband, Bob Garbutt, told me many hilarious stories of their times together. He has left a tremendous footprint and lots of sweet memories for his family and friends!

JOHNNY KEENER September 25, 2020
my condolence to the family. He was a friend to Waycross and the beach.

MAURICE & MELODY DAWKINS September 25, 2020
We are truly sorry to hear of the loss of Choo Choo. We pray for love and peace as you grieve.

SCOTT INGLIS September 25, 2020
You will be missed ChooChoo, Lisa and I always enjoyed hanging out with you. One of the best days was when we boated down the NASJacksonville and watched the air show from the water. The blue angels buzzed us, they where upside down , we waved and they waved back! It was a great day! Find Gods peace my friend.

ANN & PETE ELDRIDGE September 25, 2020
Our sincere condolences to the entire family- Choo Choo was such a delightful person- always glad to see you & very personable- He will be missed by many.

TYA BRADFORD September 25, 2020
I worked for Choo Choo at Amelia Motel way back in the day. He was a terrific man and always so sweet to me. My heart goes out to Heidi, Tina, Holly and the rest of the family and extended family. I�m terribly sorry the loss of your father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was one of a kind and will be truly missed. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Much love!

STEPHANIE September 25, 2020
One of the nicest people I have ever met. His name will live on forever. His family is one of the nicest, smiliest people I know. You guys are blessed to have an angel such as Choo Choo to watch over you from Heaven now.

SUSIE AND TOMMY SPICER September 25, 2020
Dear ones,
We are so sorry to learn of Choo Choi�s passing. He leaves a beautiful legacy in your family. We enjoyed knowing him for many years, and he will be missed by all who were blessed to call him friend.My dad had dementia at the end but he always remembered Choo Choi�s sttory about selling shoes!
Our hearts go out to you all. May God bless and comfort you.

KENNY BROWN September 25, 2020
My condolences & Prayers go out to �Choo-Choo�s�family. Mr.�G� always made me feel at home at the Crab Trap from the 1st day I came in over 3 years ago. May He rest in peace

PAT KEOGH September 25, 2020
Choo Choo, may you rest in peace. Our condolences to your family.

COURTNEY MCCRANIE September 25, 2020
I enjoyed knowing Choo Choo very much. Great conversations at T-Rays at the table with him and his family. His cousin, Ross Germano, would say, �Everything that Choo Choo touches, turns to gold!� He will be missed.

BETH DENTON NELSON September 25, 2020
Holly, Heidi, Tina & Choo Choo, we�re sure going to miss your Dad. Spent many fun hours with him at the restaurant and out on the Casper. We had lots of fun adventures with him. He was the best!

DON CLARK September 25, 2020
Choo Choo certainly be missed! He was always fun to see and talk to, at the Crab Trap, Huddle House, at the garage or just about anywhere.

DREW SCOTT September 25, 2020
Choo Choo was a great man and I am happy to have known him and his family. Rest well friend.

VICTORIA BLACKWELL September 25, 2020
Tina, Carley,Dustin, and Christian My prayers are with you all.

JULIA JONES September 25, 2020
So sorry to hear of your loss. My grandparents owned Churchwell�s that Choo Choo bought and renamed Richards. I remember him as a very nice man. Prayers of love and light to the family.

HANKY PRINCE EASTWICK September 25, 2020
Choo choo and all of the Germano family will always have a special
Place in my heart. He was so good to me during my teen and college years. Loretta �Gillis� and I helped run his shoe store when we were in high school, I baby sat for all four �kids�, and spent many memorable times on Jekyll With them. Choo choo will be sincerely missed, but I will Always have the fond memories of the impact he had on my life. Heartbroken at this loss.

SANDRA WILLIAMS TURNER September 26, 2020
I am so very sorry to see this. It seems that so many of my friends and fellow schoolmates are slowly leaving us. Doris, I will be thinking of you and the family in the coming days.

RICHARD STRATTON September 26, 2020
Please know that my thoughts are with you. Richard was a very kind man.

DAVID & JAYNE BURBANK September 26, 2020
We are very saddened to hear of Choo-Choo�s passing. He was a kind and loving man and a wonderful friend. Prayers to the family.

MIKE AND CAROL MCCORMICK September 26, 2020
Our sincere condolences to Choo Choo�s family. Choo Choo was a wonderful friend to the members of the Classic MG Club Orlando. He was one of a kind and will be missed.

ANNE FESPERMAN DUNCAN September 26, 2020
My deepest sympathy, love and prayers for your family.

CAMERON WASDIN September 26, 2020
So sorry for y�alls loss. He was a great man and loved you all very much. Will be praying for yall

JOHNNY AND KAREN WATERS September 26, 2020
Our condolences to the family of this great man. He never failed to come Sit and speak with us at The Crab Trap. He will be greatly missed in the community as well as by friends and family. Praying for you all.

TINA LANGLEY September 26, 2020
He will be so missed� Tony and I so enjoyed our friendship with him �we loved him and love his family

LORI SMITH September 26, 2020
Prayers for all of the family. Many memories.

NONA SASSER MC LEOD September 28, 2020
How sad to hear of Choo Choos passes , I have such sweet memories of him also his father who I worked for , such gentle, caring men, he will be greatly missed, my prayers are with you all.

KATHY COOK September 28, 2020
I took care of Choo Choo�s horses years ago. I loved working for him. He was such a fine man.
My sincere condolences to his family.

GARY BASSETT September 28, 2020
Rest well friend. You we�re always supportive and friendly to Darlene and myself.

CHARLES �BOOG� LAYTON September 30, 2020
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Choo Choo�s family. Growing up in Waycross, I never knew anyone who didn�t like Choo Choo! He was a lot of fun to be around and will be missed by many, many people. May God�s peace and comfort be with you all both now and in the days ahead.

MIKE AND CAROL MCCLOSKEY October 2, 2020
Holly, Tina, Heidi, ChooChoo, Mike and I were saddened to hear about your dad. We have always considered him a close friend. He made life happier with his smile and friendly ways. We will miss him greatly, as will the communities of Waycross and Fernandina. Hope all the fond memories you share will fill your void and warm your hearts. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

MARGO STORY October 7, 2020
A truly great guy��sincere condolences to the family. Rest in Peace Choo Choo.

TONY AND FRANKETTE RINALDI AND FAMILY October 11, 2020
Words cannot express our sadness on hearing of Choo Choos passing. We loved him dearly or MG family and dear friend. You will be missed!

LORETTA HOLMES October 14, 2020
To Holly, Tina, Heidi, & little Choo Choo and your children & grandchildren. I am heartbroken over the loss of your dear Daddy. I just want to tell you that I loved he & your mother so much and they were such a huge part of my life as a teenager & thereafter. When I stared working at the shoe store @ age 16, he would let me handle just about everything involved in running a business!! Then he hired Hanky & Marie & he let us practically run the place especially in the summertime!! And all of you were so young�little Choo Choo was just a new born !! Your mama was so young & beautiful (and still is) we were all treated like a part of your family!! He was always so special to me & I will never forget how he (and your family) always treated me. He was a friend to all & you have a great legacy to carry on. My thoughts & prayers are with you all. He made a powerful impact on my life & I will never forget him. Love, love you all & you will continue to be in my thoughts & prayers.

LORETTA HOLMES October 14, 2020
To Holly, Tina, Heidi, & little Choo Choo and your children & grandchildren. I am heartbroken over the loss of your dear Daddy. I just want to tell you that I loved he & your mother so much and they were such a huge part of my life as a teenager & thereafter. When I stared working at the shoe store @ age 16, he would let me handle just about everything involved in running a business!! Then he hired Hanky & Marie & he let us practically run the place especially in the summertime!! And all of you were so young�little Choo Choo was just a new born !! Your mama was so young & beautiful (and still is) we were all treated like a part of your family. He was a friend to all & you have a great legacy to carry on. My thoughts & prayers are with you all. He made a powerful impact on my life & I will never forget him. Love, love you all & you will continue to be in my thoughts & prayers.

LEONARD DELL November 1, 2020
Dear Germano and Spatola families,
My heart felt condolences on learning of the passing of your families� head. Choo Choo and I were second cousins. His mother Ida nee (Spatola) and my mother Salvatrice nee (Spatola) were first cousins. We attended St Joseph�s Academy together, were altar boys at St. Joseph�s Church and, then Waycross HS. Too many years, but, the feelings are ever as deep. Stay well. Be strong. God Bless.

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