Funeral Set for Retired Fire Captain; Road Closures

The obituary below was released by Arcadia Fire Department spokesperson Beth Stogner.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Wonderful husband, father, son and friend, retired Arcadia Fire Capt. Andy Michael Troncale lost his valiant battle with cancer on January 23, 2012 at the age of 52.

Born to parents Steve and Evelyn Troncale and raised in Covina, Andy graduated from Covina High School in 1977 and attended Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, where he studied fire science. Andy later earned his Bachelor Degree from California State University, Long Beach. 

Andy developed an interest in the fire service early in life and began his career as an explorer with Los Angeles County Fire Department at age 16. He worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for a brief time before being hired by the in 1979. 

Andy received several awards during his career, including the Exceptional Service Award and Arcadia Fire Department Firefighter of the Year.  As a senior Captain, he embodied the finest qualities of a true firefighter. Andy served the citizens of Arcadia with honor and distinction for nearly 30 years, retiring from the Arcadia Fire Department in 2009 after being diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer.

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, neé Clark in 1986 and the couple 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 Sunday from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 5 p.m. at Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home, 600 E Foothill Blvd. in Monrovia.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. at at 370 Campus Drive in Arcadia. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park at 3888 Workman Mill Road in Whittier.

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.

ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION FOR MONDAY'S FUNERAL SERVICES

From the Arcadia Police Department

To accommodate the expected attendance, associated fire apparatus, and the procession, the following road closures will take place Monday in the City of Arcadia.

Campus Drive
• Closed to all vehicle traffic & parking, 8 a.m. to 12:30 pm, Holly Avenue to El Monte Avenue. There will be limited access to Campus Drive from Santa Anita Avenue and El Monte Avenue through 8:30 am, to accommodate traffic. Student parking will be allowed on Campus Drive, east of El Monte Avenue, providing the vehicles are parked prior to 8:30 a.m.
• Closed to all vehicle traffic, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Holly Avenue to Santa Anita Avenue. AHS may be accessed from Duarte Road during this time.

Santa Anita Avenue
• Closed to all vehicle traffic, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Duarte Road to Fano Street.
Baldwin Avenue
• Northbound closed to all vehicle traffic, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Huntington Drive to the 210 Freeway.

Huntington Drive
• Eastbound vehicle traffic toward Campus Drive will be diverted to southbound Holly Avenue, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Westbound left turn lanes at Holly Avenue closed, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Eastbound left turn lanes at Baldwin Avenue, Gate 1, and La Cadena Avenue closed, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Holly Avenue
• Northbound closed to all vehicle traffic, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, Fairview Avenue to Huntington Drive.
Park Avenue
• Closed to all vehicle traffic, 8 a.m. to 12:30 pm, at Campus Drive.

Traffic will be extremely congested during the listed time periods. Use alternate routes or avoid the area during this time, if at all possible. If dropping off a student at AHS, we suggest arriving at least 15 minutes early Monday.

Also, consider dropping off your student outside the listed closures and allowing them to walk. The closures should not impact pick-up from AHS at the end of the school day.

The road closures and procession will also impact access to the between 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The procession will travel west on Huntington Drive from Holly Avenue, and northbound on Baldwin Avenue. Access to the mall will be limited during the procession.

Alternative routes may include Foothill Boulevard or Duarte Road for east-west traffic, and Rosemead Boulevard or Second Avenue for north-south traffic.

Should you have any questions pertaining to the services or closures, please contact the Arcadia Fire Department Public Information Officer Beth Stogner at 626-574-5112 or the on-duty Battalion Chief at 626-574-5102.