Update Jan 30, 2012: Dozens of fire tucks from numerous cities and hundreds of firefighters, dignitaries, teachers, students, and community leaders and residents lined Campus Drive Monday morning to pay tribute to Arcadia Fire Department Captain Andy Troncale, who died Jan. 23 at the age of 52.
Captain Andy Troncale
A Caisson engine carried Troncale with a procession of family and firefighters from Santa Anita Avenue to Holly Avenue. After nearly 30 years of service, Troncale retired in 2009 after being diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer. A procession carrying the casket in a Caisson engine will leave the Station 105 headquarters on Santa Anita Avenue at 9:15 a.m. and proceed west on Campus Drive past El Monte Road, where Troncale’s family will join the remainder of the walk to Holy Angels Catholic Church, 370 Campus Drive. A funeral service mass will be held at Holy Angels from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., followed by a procession to Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary at 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier for a graveside service from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at Fire Station No. 106 in Arcadia, 630 South Baldwin Ave.
Andy Michael Troncale, born April 8, 1959, began his career as an explorer with Los Angeles County Fire Department at age 16 and also worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) prior to being hired by Arcadia Fire Department in 1979. He received several awards during his career, including the City of Arcadia Exceptional Service Award and Arcadia Fire Department Firefighter of the Year.
Andy is survived by his wife of 25 years, Debbie, and their three sons, Clark (22), Chad (20), and Clint (16). “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” he said. Born to parents Steve and Evelyn Troncale and raised in Covina, CA, Andy graduated from Covina High School in 1977 and attended Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, CA, where he studied fire science. Andy later earned his Bachelor Degree from Cal State Long Beach.
Andy’s smile and sense of humor endeared him quickly to all who crossed his path. His greatest love was his family. He married the love of his life, Debbie (Clark) in 1986 and had three sons, Clark, Chad and Clint. He also loved animals, especially his dogs Cocoa and Gigi. Andy’s interests included model trains, fishing, baseball, football, hockey, weightlifting and bicycle riding. Andy enjoyed cooking Italian food using family recipes and was a barbeque expert.
Andy is predeceased by his mother, Evelyn, and his brother, Steven. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Debbie, and their three sons, Clark (22), Chad (20), and Clint (17), his father, Steve, sister, Paula, in-laws Robert and Diane Clark, brothers-in law, nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 4:00 – 7:00 (Rosary at 5:00 pm) at Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home, 600 E Foothill Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Andy Troncale Benevolent Fund by mail through the Los Angeles Firemen’s Credit Union, 815 W Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041 or online at www.firefamilyfoundation.org.
See 75 photos from the procession here on Facebook/ArcadiasBestNews.