John A. Tronolone, 68, Girls' High teacher

John A. Tronolone
John A. Tronolone
By Sally A. Downey, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: November 25, 2011

John A. Tronolone, 68, of Barnegat, N.J., a teacher at Philadelphia High School for Girls for more than 30 years, died Sunday, Nov. 20, at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta of complications from a stroke.

Mr. Tronolone spent his career teaching science at Girls' High, where he was also technical director for theater productions. Besides the students in his biology and chemistry classes, hundreds of girls knew him as head of the "Stage Kroo," his son John said.

After retiring in 1994, Mr. Tronolone volunteered at the Franklin Institute for several years.

He was a native of Valley Stream, N.Y., and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the State University of New York in Oneonta.

Mr. Tronolone married and raised a family in Bucks County before divorcing. In 1990, his children moved with their mother to Georgia. "He proved that physical proximity had no bearing on emotional intimacy," his son said. "He was as close and committed to his children and their families as any father could be living next door."

Mr. Tronolone made frequent trips to Georgia and joined his family for annual vacations in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A lover of all things historical and geological, he often interrupted his travels to visit battlefields or to study an interesting outcropping of rock, his son said.

A sports enthusiast, Mr. Tronolone watched Big Five college basketball games at the Palestra with his children and later followed the sports teams of their alma maters, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Georgia. He was a dedicated Eagles fan.

In addition to his son, Mr. Tronolone is survived by another son, Andrew; a daughter, Theresa; two grandchildren; his mother, Ada Tronolone; and his former wife, Ellen East.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday, Nov. 26, at Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, N.J. Friends may call from 11 a.m. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, 283 Beachview Ave., Manahawkin.

Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913

or sdowney@phillynews.com.

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