Frank Troitino

Frank G. Troitino, 94, of Mount Hope passed into eternity, Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley after a sudden illness. Born in the province of Pousada, Galicia, Spain on October 11, 1909, he was the youngest son of the late Jesus and Maria Gulias Troitino. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was preceded in death by a brother, Joe M. Troitino and a sister, Luzdivina Garcia. Frank immigrated to the United States on December 7, 1941 arriving at Ellis Island, New York as Pearl Harbor was being bombed. His route to the United States began after fighting for the Spanish Republic against facism and dictatorship during the Spanish Civil War 1937-1939. After the revolution he was captured by Francos army as a prisoner of the civil war. He entered the United States Army in November 1942 after receiving a draft notice while working on the construction of the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Upon induction into the Army he became a US citizen and served under Gen. George S. Patton as a member of Company A 333rd Batallion, 4th Armored Division during World War II. He participated in the D-Day Invasion landing on Utah Beach and completed the march through Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. Upon discharge from the Army he settled in Mount Hope joining his brother in the coal business. Later, he was sole owner and'operator of Troitino Coal Company until his retirement in November 1973. He was well known throughout southern West Virginia in the surface mine industry. He was a member of Ateneo Espanol (Spanish Club) of Beckley, WV, member of the UMWA and the West Virginia Surface Mine Association. He is survived by his devoted wife, Carolyn Fontana Troitino of Mount Hope, two daughters, Brenda C. Troitino of Jim Bailey Farm Road, Mount Hope and Erundina Cabadas and her husband, Jose of Asheville, NC and one son, Frank B. Troitino of Asheville, NC, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren all of Asheville, NC. Funeral Service Friday, December 12, 2003 at 1:00 P. M. at the Tyree Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Hope with Rev. Richard C. Allen and Rev. Daniel Legg officiating. Entombment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Mausoleum at Prosperity with military rites being conducted the VFW Post 3110, Oak Hill. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday evening, December 11 at Tyree Funeral Home in Mount Hope.