Romeo Caracta Galvez, 82 of Smithville passed away at home with his family by his side on December 31, 2020. He was born in Bulacan, Philippines on August 24, 1938.
Romeo was a naturalized American, thankful to his community in Smithville, NJ who provided him a welcoming home.

Before retiring in the comforts of Atlantic County, he worked at the US Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey at Newark. He will always be remembered as an ex-future boxer and an ex-future policeman, who worked himself through law school, with borrowed books from his privileged classmates. In the 60 years in the legal profession, Romeo proudly touted that his meaningful achievement was his marriage to his best friend of 57 years, Lourdes Galvez nee Ponce, and his children, in-laws and grandchildren. His life will be a testimony to his loved ones that from the lowliest and humblest of beginnings, we can lift ourselves to heights others see impossible with faith in our Creator, and with perseverance and determination. He is preceded in death by his father Iqnacio Galvez; his mother, Cirila Caracta; and his brothers, Rolando Galvez and Iqnacio Jr.

Romeo is survived by his wife, Lourdes; his children, Sheilah Kurtz and husband Max, Alexander Galvez and partner Carmina Basto, Geraldine Nonas and husband Chris, Largion Galvez and partner Bernie Villanueva; and his grandchildren, Alexis Marie, Paul and Vivien.

The Galvez family will receive family and friends on Friday, January 8, 2021 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ, 6:00 until 8:00 PM. There will also be a time of visitation on Saturday morning, January 9, 2021, 10:00 until 11:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be in the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery.