Patrick Tropea

February 26, 1921 - August 24, 2021

Patrick Tropea went peacefully to God surrounded by his loved ones in Daytona Beach, Florida
on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021. He was 100 years old.
Patrick was born on February 26th, 1921 in New York, NY. He was the first child of Sebastiano
and Venera Tropea, and the first of his family to be born in the United States. He was followed
by a sister, Antoinette (who later married Jack Scimone), and a brother, Anthony (who later
married Maryann Horvath). When he was 10 years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, NY.
In 1944, Patrick was drafted into the United States Army to serve in WWII. He served in the
66th Ordnance Ammunition Company (Panther Division) and trained at Camp Blanding in
North Florida before joining the troops in Europe following the D-Day invasion. For his
service, Patrick received a Medal of Honor, a Good Conduct Medal, a WWII Victory Medal, and
an EAME Service Medal.
After the war, Patrick returned to New York. On one fateful evening in 1946, he was invited to
the family home of a friend from the Army. While here he met Yolanda Diorio, a younger aunt
of his friend. In 1947, after many pursuits and at least three marriage proposals, she became
his wife, Yolanda Tropea.
In 1959, Patrick and Yolanda adopted their first child, Patricia. In 1960, their son, Patrick James
was born.
Patrick had several careers throughout his life, including working as an NYC Transit Authority
Signal Maintenance technician and for the United States Postal Service in the Physical Plant.
After retirement, Patrick was a member of many clubs and organizations, including the West
Clinton, NY Volunteer Fire Department (where he was a Charter Member), Knights of
Columbus (where he was a Grand Knight of the Rhinebeck, NY chapter), Sons of Italy, Catholic
War Veterans, American Legion, VFW, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lion's Club, the Panther
Veteran Organization, and many other social groups.
In 1991, Patrick and Yolanda moved to Florida to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
They became members of Epiphany Catholic Church in Port Orange, where they went to mass
every Sunday and made many friends.
Patrick also had many hobbies, including woodworking (with his grandson, Chris), bocce with
friends, Friday pizza nights with family, card games with anybody who would join him, and
karaoke. He made new friends wherever he went and was always finding new things to do. He
was also always thrilled to sit in the front row to see any activity his grandchildren participated
in throughout their lives.
In 2009, after 62 years of marriage, Yolanda passed away. Her ashes will be entombed along
with Patrick.
Patrick met Pauline Poplawski at a karaoke night in South Daytona, where Pauline says Pat
could frequently be found "dancing with all the ladies on the dance floor". Pauline remained his
faithful companion for a decade until his passing.
Patrick is survived by his younger brother, Anthony Tropea, and his brother-in-law, Jack
Scimone, his companion Pauline Poplawski, daughter Patricia Friedman, son Patrick James
Tropea (spouse Patty Tropea), grandchildren Ella Friedman (fiance Grace Moskola), Phillip
Friedman (partner Heather Trembley), Christopher Tropea (spouse Michelle Tropea), Nicole
Suddard (spouse Thomas Suddard), and Geena Tropea. He is preceded in death by his wife
Yolanda Tropea, son-in-law Jack Friedman, sister Antoinette Scimone, and sister-in-law
Maryann Tropea.
The family asks that in place of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
This is a charity that was very near and dear to Patrick's heart.
Service details:
Due to COVID, it will be a small, family-only service with a memorial planned for a later date.
The family is planning to livestream the service via Facebook - please contact Ella Friedman
for information.

The care of Patrick Tropea has been entrusted to Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange.  Condolences for the family can be shared on the online guestbook at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com