Passante remembered fondly by his friends, employees

“Marty Passante was more than a business leader in our community – he was a cherished friend. As the founder of the beloved Villa Roma Resort, he brought warmth, leadership, and an unwavering vision to the Sullivan Catskills, transforming the resort into a cornerstone of hospitality. “His dedication to the Villa Roma, a place he poured his heart into, helped make it not just a destination, but a home for so many. His vision and leadership transformed the resort into a vibrant part of the region, bringing joy and memorable experiences to countless generations of visitors. “But beyond his professional success, it was Marty’s kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others that truly set him apart. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome and I was fortunate enough to not only know him as a leader in our community, but as a dear friend. “Marty embraced me like family from the moment I arrived to this region, welcoming me with open arms and a place to stay. His presence will be deeply missed, but the legacy of his friendship and dedication to our region will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.””

ROBERTA BYRON-LOCKWOOD, PRESIDENT/CEO SULLIVAN CATSKILLS VISITORS ASSN.

“Marty [Passante] hired me in my 20s as the first golf pro of the Villa Roma’s new golf course. He treated my wife Jill and I like family and would stop by the golf shop and ask how you were doing and was always looking out for you. “We played a lot of golf, including a Pro-Am at Pebble Beach in 1994 and in Florida. He was just a fun guy to be around and we had great times together, including the member card games. “He was just the best and [Marty’s wife] Marion was right behind him. He gave me a career that has lasted 39 years so far. I owe it all to him.”

MATTHEW KLEINER, VILLA ROMA GOLF PRO

“I’ve been with the Villa Roma for 44 years. I actually started working there in 1976 with Van Keuren Construction, building the Ernesto. “Gene Meyer, who worked for Van Keuren, moved over to the Villa and he really liked me and asked if I would mind working for the Villa for a while. The Villa Roma borrowed me from Van Keuren and I never left. “I started full-time in January 1980 as a carpenter and then construction foreman. I enjoyed working for Marty, he was always very nice to me. “He always asked my opinion and sometimes would stop by where I was working and say, “Hey, Alan, come jump in’ and he would cart me away. “He would drive up the road and say, ‘How about we build a building here?’ I was foreman on all the timeshares except two and foreman on the Clubhouse. “Marty gave me 18 guys and a set of blueprints and said, ‘Here, go for it.’ “I adore Marion [Passante], too. She always asked me to help fix the house and said, ‘You are my go-to guy. “It’s going to be sad without Marty.””

ALAN CALKIN, 44-YEAR EMPLOYEE CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN VILLA ROMA

“I played a lot of golf with Marty and we also went out together. He took nothing and made it into something. “He was a real good guy who loved his family above everything. And he especially loved his wife, Marion. “He was special. What a prankster. He had a sense of humor that was second to none. “He was a good man.””

PETER SIGELAKIS, LONG-TIME FRIEND

On Monday, September 9, Marty Passante passed away at the age of 87. Renowned for his great sense of humor, strong family ties, community spirit and exceptional business acumen, Marty was recognized throughout the state as a leader in the hospitality field. 

This article first appeared in May of 2010, the year the Villa Roma celebrated its 40th year of ownership under Marty Passante.
Last Friday, Marty Passante sold the resort to Fay Hospitality after 54 years of ownership with partner and Villa Roma General Manager Paul Carlucci.
We reprint this article in honor of one of the true legends of the Catskill Resort industry.

 “Don’t look back.  Something might be gaining on you.” - Satchel Paige,  Cleveland Indians baseball great

Marty Passante not only epitomizes that old baseball saying, he lives it, each and every day. For it was 40 years ago this year that Marty found his way up to the Catskills, with only an eighth grade education in hand, to follow his dream… the American dream. A Tropicana route driver by trade, Marty knew he wanted something different. So he bought a small resort nestled, “in a small, simple little valley,” and, over the course of four decades, has turned the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center into the flagship of the Sullivan County hospitality industry and one of the best resorts in the Catskills.

Today, at age 74, he enjoys life more than ever. He spends nearly half a year in Florida, plays golf on his own 18-hole course several times a week, gets to watch his kids and grandkids grow up and also finds time to follow his passion, acting. This summer – July to be exact – he will be in Massachusetts to perform in “Gypsy” (and get paid to boot). Here’s a brief story of the guy known to most simply as “Marty.”

Marty Passante moved to the Catskills in 1970, just a year after Woodstock was held at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel. He came to try his hand at hospitality and what better place to start than at the Villa Roma in Callicoon. 

He struck a deal with owner Ernesto Vindigni and soon was operating the small Italian resort with the help of a few dozen employees. The Villa Roma had already been in operation for nearly thirty years and Marty had a feeling that he could make it work.

“I’m very lucky, that’s the biggest thing I can say,” Marty, sitting in his upstairs office of the new Villa Roma, said recently. “We’ve weathered a few of the toughest storms ever…” 

His voice trails off. There were floods, hail storms and even a horrific fire which claimed the centerpiece of the hotel on April 12, 2006, destroying the resort’s main dining room, reservation desk, lobby, kitchen and several rooms. 

Through it all the Villa Roma stayed strong and, by investing nearly $30 million, rebuilt the hotel into the resort it is today – plush, modern and full of all the amenities.

“Putting money back in led to our success,” Marty said. “We were very fortunate that people were willing to play ball with me.”

He credits the local banks with supporting him - even in the tough times - which enabled the resort to grow from a 36-room family-run resort to one which can host more than 750 guests on its 450 rolling acres. There are now 68 full-ownership condos, 140 hotel rooms, and 230 two-bedroom timesharing units. There is also an 18-hole championship golf course, ski hill, bowling alley, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and more than enough dining rooms to keep even the most discerning eater satisfied. You can also throw in a nightclub, half a dozen lounges and a recreation center for good measure.

The Villa can host weddings, organizational events, proms, family or class reunions complete with lodging, anniversary parties, golf outings and a host of other events to perfection. 

“We needed to create an identity in this hotel,” Marty said. “It’s a family hotel.”He hopes that identity continues to get stronger as new offerings are added nearly every year. 

But the Villa Roma’s path was never one of certainty. Marty said one of the best decisions he ever made was because his daughter became ill. 

“My daughter was bitten by a tick and Paul Carlucci was working as a bartender for me, doing a great job,” Marty recalled. “I had to take my daughter to the doctor and I said, ‘You’re in charge.’

“I didn’t come back for a month,” he said. “Everything was right where I left it, no money was gone and everything was running smooth. I offered him 10 percent of the hotel. That’s one of the best moves of my life, second to buying the Villa Roma.”

Carlucci, who was working at the hotel to put himself through college, stayed with Marty and the rest is, as they say, history.

“It was a real benefit to me that Paul stayed here,” Marty said. “He was involved with many, many decisions. I was fortunate to have him.

“But he still has never forgiven me for making him carry out the fountain [for Caesar’s nights],” Marty said with a laugh.

And laughter is one thing Marty has learned well. 

“There are so many stories about what has happened up here,” Marty said. 

And while the list of those who have made a difference at the Villa Roma is long, Marty recalled a few off the top of his head.

• Karen Bernas - “She’s been here so many years (32 to be exact). I think what Karen has done I would never be able to do myself.”

• Pete Selthafner - “Few others like Pete. He started here at 16 years old, working his way up from a bus boy to a chef. He’s been here 40 years with me and his sister Susie is in the dining room.”

• Tom Kutschera – “He has the unique ability to serve between 50 and 900 people at a time. He’s great.”

“The biggest thing I can say is that I’m lucky to have people here who work so hard,” Marty said.