Trotti Obituaries from the Lake Charles, La, Newspapers Typed by Thomas E. Van Ness ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Condolence message to Joshua A. Trotti on the death of his father John Lawrence Trotti; Lake Charles, LA, Commercial; 4/14/1894 The many friends of Josh Trotti, of George and Swift, sympathize greatly with that young man in having recently lost his father, who died last week after a long illness at his home in Jasper Co., Texas ************************** Obituary of H. L. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 1/30/1918 Mayor J. A. Trotti received a telegram about 10 o'clock this morning conveying the sad news that his brother, Henry L. Trotti, had died at his home in Jasper, Texas. Mayor Trotti will leave for Jasper to be present at the funeral which will be held there. Deceased was 48 years of age. A remarkable feature of the death is the fact that there are 12 children in the Trotti family and this is the first death in the family. Mayor Trotti is next to the youngest of the 12. Henry L. Trotti was a single man and had resided in Jasper for a number of years, being one of the founders of the town. He had been in ill health for a long time. ************************** Obituary of Dr. W. E. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 6/24/1930 Dr. W. E. Trotti Jasper, Texas, brother of J. A. Trotti and T. G. Trotti of Lake Charles, died at his home in Jasper at 3:20 PM Monday. He was 54 years of age and a member of one of the pioneer families of East Texas. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Trotti were with Dr. Trotti at the time of his death. Mr. Trotti stated in a long distance phone message to Lake Charles Monday evening that funeral arrangements had not been made at that time. He stated, however, that the body will be buried in Jasper. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. W. E. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 1/29/1932 Mrs. W. E. Trotti, widow of the late Dr. Trotti, died at her home in Jasper, Tex., at 5 o'clock Thursday evening. J. A. Trotti, T. G. Trotti and little Billie Trotti left Friday afternoon to attend the funeral which will be held at Jasper Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. Mr. J. A. Trotti, who has been at the bedside of her sister-in-law for the past several days, will return home Saturday with the Messrs. Trotti. ************************** Obituary of J. A. Trotti; The Weekly American Press, 3/20/1936, Lake Charles, LA Death today ended the forceful career of Mayor J. A. Trotti of Lake Charles, a career leading from the Piney woods of Jasper count, Texas, to the mayor's chair and whose influence was felt in state politics and national affairs; a career starting in Lake Charles when he came here as a boy of 17 from the Texas pinelands and saw his first train in this city. At the age of 63 he died in St. Patrick's Hospital at 11:01 am after battling pneumonia for ten days. A man of vigor and courage, his abilities led him to city office, the oil producing business, and undertaking business, and real estate development, and to a prominent part in city progress as private citizen and mayor. INFLUENCE FELT IN STATE Mayor Trotti supported and later fought, the Long administration; he was among organisers of the State Good Government league, which broke the grip of the New Orleans ring on state politics in 1912 with the election of Luther E. Hall as governor. On one of the acts that exemplified the determination and purpose of Mr. Trotti was based a widespread investigation of the war department during the Spanish American war, terminating in the resignation of a secretary of war. Ranking as a second lieutenant, Mr. Trotti served with distinction as provost marshal at Santiago, Cuba following the Spanish-American embroglio. SERVICES TOMORROW Services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the Burke and Trotti funeral parlors, with the Rev. Fred T. Moffatt, pastor of First Baptist church, officiating, assisted by the Rev. G. B. Hines, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Active pall bearers will be members of the police and fire departments headed by Chief of Police Sam Iles and Fire Chief Fred Baumgarten. Honorary pall bearers will be City Commissioners J. H. Funderburg and J. E. (Dick) Johnson and all friends in the city, parish, and state. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery. BORN IN TEXAS Mr. Trotti was born September 3, 1872, in Jasper county, Texas. He came to Lake Charles while in his teens from Jasper county and went to work in a livery stable. He later became a partner in this business, and also became one of the organisers and owners of an undertaking establishment. Mr. Trotti joined the Baptist church in 1894 and was a member of that church in Lake Charles during all of his life here. Miss Nona Fuqua, who had resided in Lake Charles but had moved to Shreveport with her family , was married to Mr. Trotti at Naborton, July 6, 1905. To this union was born one son, J. A. Trotti, Jr. of Lake Charles. Mrs. Trotti, the son, and a grandson, Billy Trotti, survive. At his death he was serving his twelfth year as mayor, though not consecutively. He served two consecutive terms of four years each as mayor during the World war and immediately thereafter, placing emphasis on a sound business administration of city affairs. Several years ago he entered the oil producing business, and after this highly successful business venture he again sought the highest city office, and basing his campaign on the sound business records of his earlier terms as mayor, he was returned to the head of the city government. During this third term as mayor, which was unexpired at the time of his death, he entered the real estate business as the growth of Lake Charles in the last few years became more pronounced. INTEGRITY CITED His integrity and honesty to principle -- as attested by those associated with him in public life and private enterprise -- was on of the prime assets to his success. A former governor once recommended mayor Trotti as "beyond reach" when the governor was seeking someone for appointment as a purchasing agent "who wouldn't even take a handkerchief" from anyone seeking orders for materials. LAW ENFORCEMENT Adherence to a sound money government and enforcement of the law constituted Mayor Trotti's principal program in his three terms in office. Announcing in 1916 for mayor, his candidacy was at first not considered seriously by many who believed he would not be a strong contender, but he gained strength and was elected, taking office in May the following year. DISTRICTS CLEANED UP He immediately began a campaign against vice in the city and cleaned up unsavory districts as active head of the police department, taking part in may raids himself. His work went far to better moral conditions in the city. Red light places were abolished. As wartime mayor, his work brought him into frequent clashes with minor military authorities. Gerstner field was a training ground here then for aviators. His work as provost marshal at Santiago made him particularly well qualified in recognizing military and civilian rights as mayor. He was thoroughly conversant with maintaining peace and order under such conditions. Serving with Mayor Trotti during his first term from 1917 to 1921 were Mark D. Wents as finance commissioner and E. S. Crosby as commissioner of streets. REELECTED IN 1921 Mr. Trotti ran successfully for reelection in 1921 on a platform whose plank was to "finish the fight against the underworld." He was elected with J. H. Funderburg as finance commissioner and E. L. Gorham as street commissioner. Running again in 1925, Mr. Trotti was defeated by Harry J. Geary and in 1929 by the late Leon Locke. In 1933 he ran successfully against Mr. Locke and took office for the third time as mayor in may of that year with Mr. Funderburg as finance commissioner and J. E. (Dick) Johnson as street commissioner, constituting the present administration. Close cooperation and harmony has marked the present administration at all times. FORCEFUL FOE A straightforward and forceful character, Mr. Trotti spoke his mind with frankness and vigor on any question that might arise and adhered relentlessly to his convictions in public affairs. Under his brusque approach to problems, he possessed an abiding sense of humor and wit, and often opened the council meetings with some kind of "horseplay" before getting down to serious business. DIRECT APPROACH After the council sessions were opened, however, he had a knack for going directly to the problems at hand, curtailing useless verbiage and arguments until a decision was reached, but considering all relevant matters; thus the council's work moved ahead steadily until the work on the day's calendar was completed. At the same time the mayor gave every citizen present a chance to be head and present his views. MINIMUM OF DETAIL He conducted his own office with a minimum of detail, dispensing with a mayoralty secretary and handling his city correspondence from other city offices or through his private business offices. An example of his refusal to clutter up his office with useless detail is illustrated in the fact that during his late administration he used the same calendar of the order of business of the council that he used in his first administration; it was not a copy of the original card, but the same one as typed off in 1917, and has reposed for 19 years in the mayor's desk upstairs in city hall, where he presided over the council. As administrations changed, the card remained, perhaps overlooked in the drawer. But when Mayor Trotti went back into office, he dug it out and began using it again to refer to the order of business. It remains as one of the few papers in the upstairs desk. Most of his official correspondence he kept in his office downstairs. USED FIRM HAND His vigorous handling of problems adding color particularly to his first term as mayor, and often drawing criticism is illustrated when he and his police administered a whipping to a negro and told him "not to let the sun set on him in Lake Charles." The negro didn't. His offense was sending a "black hand" letter to a white man. BUSINESS GOVERNMENT As a business executive type mayor, Mr. Trotti often said he considered the city government a large corporation with the mayor as its head, and every citizen a stockholder and consequently entitled to the best protection of his interests. That he carried out this pledge is shown by his work in office. He believed, and bent his energies toward, running the city on a cash basis from the time he first took office throughout all his administrations to the time of his death. Mr. Funderburg has described Mr. Trotti in this connection as "always a supporter of a sound city treasury and honesty and integrity in government." SCRIP REDEEMED When Mr. Trotti took office in May, 1933, the city was burdened with scrip used as a money substitute during the depression years. Soon the mayor and council began to shave operating expenses to take up the scrip and decrease city indebtedness, and in a few months all outstanding scrip was redeemed. The mayor and council worked closely in pulling the city out of a depression hole when tax assessments and other revenue sources had dwindled. STAY WITHIN BUDGET Mayor Trotti's watchword was for the city to live within its budget, and this has been accomplished. The budget for this year is $104,000, about $2,000 under that of last year. Where expenses had to be cut, they were cut, instead of extending the debt. Better business, with loosened revenues from taxes, has helped. Under Mayor Trotti's latest administration, the police department has been fitted in smart uniforms through the cooperation of the public in dances and proceeds from other city sponsored activities; in addition, a criminal identification bureau has been established, with a file for fingerprints, used successfully many times here in bringing law violators to justice. RATES ADVANTAGES Another achievement on which Mayor Trotti worked extensively was getting a reduction in natural gas rates as affecting the small consumer; this reduction was affected more than a year ago. About two years ago when it appeared likely fire insurance rates in the city would be increased, Mayor Trotti fought successfully to retain existing rates, working with the Louisiana Rating and Fire Prevention bureau and other agencies and increasing the efficiency of the fire department. Schools for training firemen in the latest methods were held here, and Lake Charles fireman attended similar schools in Baton rouge. Mayor Trotti and capable Fire Chief Fred Baumgarten brought the local department to an efficiency among the best in state. A volunteer or supplementary corps of fire fighters, with pay for time actually served on call, was organized to further perfect the local unit. The first major paving program in the city after Mayor Trotti went into office was during his second term, when in 1924 the $112,000 program was begun. Latest program on the city's thoroughfares is repairing of sidewalks, now underway by the WPA at a cost of $17,000. In 1930, seven sections of streets were paved at the request of owners of property abutting off the streets, the owners paying the cost of the improvement. SOUGHT SEWAGE PLANT Mayor Trotti had worked for the last year or longer on a WPA program for an improved sewerage system for the city, proposing a modern disposal plant, the total to cost between $160,000 and $200,000, and it was while he was in New Orleans a few weeks ago in connection with this project that he contracted a cold which developed into pneumonia. HEADS MAYORS GROUP Mayor Trotti was the Seventh district chairman of the mayors association formed about a year ago to coordinate projects under the PWA program, and presided at may sessions of the group in various cities in the district. The association was organized for cooperation of the towns in preparing and submitting applications to the PWA. Mr. Trotti had the distinction of being the first president of the Louisiana State Funeral Directors association after that body was organized. TAKES FIRST JOB HERE The livery stable firm with which Mr. Trotti held his first job in Lake Charles was that of Swift and Kirkwood, which was located on a site approximating that now occupied by the telephone exchange building in Division street. Mr. Trotti, who also did road and street contracting in addition to his work for this firm, was soon given increased responsibility with Swift & Kirkwood, and his rise to a partnership in the concern was an eventuality. He and John T. Burke formed Burke & Trotti, local undertaking firm, after the dissolution of Gill & Trotti, which had been organized early in the 1900s, and at the time of his death, Trotti was still a member of this partnership. Through this business Trotti did much charitable work, giving at all times beyond his means. ENTERS OIL BUSINESS Mr. Trotti's first connection with the oil industry came late in his life, and was a highly successful one. He, with J. G. Sutton of Vinton, and Robert J. Boudreaux of Lake Charles, organized the Jim Hill Oil company. The discovery of oil on the M. P. Erwin tract at East Hackberry, the development of this acreage into valuable producing property, climaxed by the sale of the firm's half interest in the minerals of the Erwin land for $600,000, was one of the outstanding oil ventures in the petroleum history of this section. Mr. Trotti was secretary-treasurer of the Jim company. GOES INTO REAL ESTATE Mayor Trotti was one of the organizers or the Southern Land Sales corporation, dealing in home real estate property, and also was honored by his associates with the office of secretary-treasurer of the Jim company. This was the last business venture of note prior to his death. He was a director in several of the D. R. Swift enterprises, and was also closely connected with the administration of the Swift Estate, which owns valuable properties in Kentucky, including rich coal deposits and hardwood timber which the lumber experts described as the finest body of hardwood in the United States. The estate's holdings of valuable timber lands in British Columbia also came under this administration. POLITICAL FIREBRAND Staunch in his political beliefs, Mr. Trotti always was ready to take the stump for policies he believed right and against those he considered wrong. He and the late L. H. Moss were among the organizers of the State Good Government league, which overthrew the grip of the New Orleans machine on state politics in 1912 with the election of Judge Luther E. Hall of Monroe as governor. BREAKS WITH LONG A distant cousin of the late Senator Huey P. Long, Mr. Trotti broke with him bitterly on politics as the senator ascended to power. Despite this, the two remained on good personal terms. Earlier in Long's career, however, political followers recall that in the U. S. senatorial campaign between the late Edwin S. Broussard and J. Y. Sanders, Sr., Broussard, long, and Trotti toured this end of the state in the same auto, speaking from the same platform for Mr. Broussard's candidacy. Previously a Sander's supporter, Mr. Trotti had broken with Sanders some time before, and the campaign in Calcasieu proved memorial, in that Sanders lost to Broussard in Calcasieu by about 50 votes. Sanders always had carried the parish successfully before then form the time he ran for lieutenant governor on the Blanchard ticket. AIDS PHONE RATE CUTS When Mr. Long was a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Mr. Trotti was active with him in obtaining a reduction of telephone rates throughout the state. At one stage of the campaign, the telephone company went into federal court to restrain Lon and Trotti in their fight and to stop their talks about the company. Mayor Trotti took an outspoken and prominent part in the campaign for deep water to Lake Chares and spoke in the towns of the parish for deep water in a colorful stump tour, accompanied by a singer with an enormous voice, Ed Shumway, who opened the meetings with popular songs. STRAIGHTFORDWARD SPEAKER As a speaker, Mayor Trotti used the direct approach, driving home his own brand of effective delivery, getting at the meat of the subject and telling about it frankly. Opening conventions or civic meetings, he let his wit have play where humor was appropriate, never wrote a speech, but spoke impromptu, and never bored the listeners with long-drawn-out talks. One of the most effective speeches delivered in behalf of deep water for Lake Charles was made by Mayor Trotti when he presided over a giant mass meeting in Lock park, as a feature of the closing campaign. As mayor, Mr. Trotti conducted the negotiations on behalf of the city that brought Stone and Webster into this territory. he received many tributes from high company officials for his clean fight, which grew so heated at one time over the terms of the franchise that, it was thought the utilities, group might abandon its errors to come here. JOINS U.S.V.I. Mr. Trotti was a second lieutenant in Company "K" 2nd U. S. Volunteer Infantry, which policed Santiago, Cuba, in the hectic aftermath of the Spanish-American war, the 2nd U.S.V.I., known as the "Second Immunes," having arrived there the third day following the declaration of peace. He enlisted May 2, 1898, and was stationed at Camp Caffery, at Covington, LA, until July 25 of that year, when, with his regiment, he was removed to Santiago. Second Lieutenant Trotti was stationed at Sanitago through August and September, doing garrison duty in the city. The regiment was then removed to Sango, Cuba. he remained with the regiment until the latter part of October, when his resignation was accepted. He then returned to his home in Lake Charles, reaching here about the first November, 1898. The regiment with the exception of those members who had been successful in obtaining approval of their resignations, remained in Cuba until May of 1899. UNDER CAPTAIN MCCOY His company was headed by Captain C. A. McCoy of Lake Charles. It was while stationed at Santiago that Second Lieutenant Trotti, secure in the conviction that he was acting in the best interest of his regiment performed an act that precipitated the "embalmed beef scandal." According to Captain McCoy's account of the incident, Second Lieutenant Trotti was detailed on morning to go out on a tender to a ship anchored in the harbor, and supervise the unloading of meat supplies for the regiment. When he found the meat to be "rotten," he rejected it, returning and reporting the matter to his superior officers. The regiment had been fed on poor meat for a long time, cutting off as much of the rotted portions as possible, and eating what little remained, a condition resulting in smaller and smaller rations for the soldiers. STARTS INVESTIGATION When he learned the meat brought in by the boat from a large packing house had been refused, General H. W. Lawton, commander of the Santiago department, sent a member of his staff to investigate, and after receiving the report from this officer General Lawton "backed up" Second Lieutenant Trotti in his rejection of the badly deteriorated meat. This provoked a major investigation and the " embalmed meat scandal" became a national sensation. As an outgrowth of the investigation, Secretary of War Russell A. Alger was severely criticised for extravagance, unpreparedness, and general negligence, and although the extent of his personal responsibility was uncertain, the affair culminated in his resignation for the high government post. SURVIVORS Besides his wife, son, and grandson, Mr. Trotti is survived by two brothers, I. J. Trotti of Jasper and Arthur Trotti of Brooklyn, Texas; two sisters, Mrs Eva Odom of Jasper and Mrs. Harriet Cade of Kirbyville, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews in East Texas. Tom G. Trotti, a nephew, formerly of Lake Charles, now of Crowley, was here today, and among the nieces here from East Texas were Mrs. Lamar Hart and Mrs. Annie Powell of Beaumont. ************************** Obituary of Sanford M. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 10/4/1946 or 49? LEESVILLE, La. Oct. 4, (Spl) --- Funeral services were held Monday for Sanford M. Trotti, 28, who died as a result of an automobile accident at 11:40 PM Saturday on the Leesville-Alexandria highway. The Rev. Mr. Kirby of Simpson officiated at the rites in the Simpson Church of God. Burial was in Welcome cemetery in Simpson, Hixson funeral home in charge. Trotti was riding in a truck with his brother, Orvil, when it overturned killing him instantly. His brother is in a local hospital. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Lillian M. Trotti; three sons, Ronny M. Benny S., and Danson of Slaglep his father, S. Madison Trotti, Sr.; two brothers, Orvil of Slagle, and Dewil of Randolph Field, Texas; Alrd of Mitty; five sister, Mrs. Archie Cryer of Macon, Ga, Mrs. Clarence Smith of Leesville, Mrs. T. E. Bailey of Simpson, Mrs. Lefitt Sanders of Ruston, and Mrs. Dewey L. Alford of Homer. ************************** Obituary of Sarah Hicks Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 8/27/1953 LEESVILLE, La. (Spl.) -- Mrs. Sarah Hicks Trotti, 78, a lifelong resident of Simpson, died at 10:18 PM Wednesday at the Broyles clinic in Leesville. The body will remain at the family home in Simpson until time for funeral services at 10 am Friday in the Simpson Church of God. The Re. S. Germany will officiate and burial under the direction of the Hixson funeral home will be in Mount Pleasant cemetery. Mrs. Trotti was a member of the Church of God. Survivors include her husband, Thomas C. Trotti; three daughters, Mrs. Beulah Cargile and Mrs. Estelle Ward of Lake Charles and Mrs. Elizabeth Virsinger of Dicall, Texas; four sons; Francis of Simpson Lestor of Mora, La., Conrad of West Lake and David of Brazoria, Texas; one brother, Joseph Hicks of Simpson; 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Ralph and Wendall Weisinger, Rayford and Alward Trotti, Arlice Parker and Thelmon Jackson. ************************** Obituary of Thomas Cisero Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 7-16-1956 Thomas Cisero Trotti, 85, died here at 2pm Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Odell Cargile of 210 West LaGrange street. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Tuesday at the Church of God in Simpson. Rev. T. T. German will officiate and Rev. Joseph Squires of lake Charles will act as assistant pastor. Mr. Trotti, a retired farmer, was born in Jasper County, Texas and lived most of his life in Simpson. He had made his home in Lake Charles for the past two years. The body is at the home of a son, Francis Trotti of Simpson. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant cemetery in Simpson under the direction of Hixson funeral home. He was a charter member of the Simpson Church of God. Pallbearers will be Rayford Trotti, Wendall Weysinger, Ralph Weysinger, Otha Crumpler, Allward Trotti, Milton Ward, and Kenneth Albertson. Mr. Trotti is survived by four sons, Francis of Simpson, Lester of Mora, Louisiana, Conrad of West Lake, and David of Thibodaux; three daughters, Mrs. Homer Weysinger of Diboll, Texas, Mrs. Ernie Ward and Mrs. Odell Cargile, both of Lake Charles; 16 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. ************************** Obituary for Thomas Gilbert Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 9-4-1957 Funeral services for Thomas Gilbert Trotti, 68, a former Lake Charles public accountant, were to be held at 2:30 PM today in the Trinity Episcopal church in Jasper, Texas. He died yesterday afternoon in a Houston hospital after a long illness. Rev. Robert B. Kemp of Vicker will officiate at the services, and the Stringer funeral home of Jasper will be in charge of burial in City cemetery. Mr. Trotti, a native of Burkeville, Texas, had grown up in Lake Charles and lived here for many years. For several years he served as head of the purchasing department for the state of Louisiana. Survivors include two sisters Mrs. Adams of Jasper and Mrs. Janie Lincoln of Silsbee and on brother, W. Z. Trotti of Liberty. ************************** Obituary for Mrs. J. A. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 11/18/1959 page 1 Col 4 Funeral services for Mrs. J. A. Trotti, 87, were set for 3:30 PM today at the Burke Hammer funeral home here. Mrs. Trotti was the widow of a former mayor Josh Trotti of Lake Charles. The Rev. Thomas S. Fields, pastor of the Trinity baptist church, was to officiate. Burial was to be in the Graceland cemetery. Mrs. Trotti died at 2:30 PM Tuesday at a local rest home after a long illness. She was the former Wenona Fuqua, a native of Evergreen, and lived in Lake Charles for the past 70 years. She was active in the First Baptist Church during most of her residence here and was a garden club member. Her late husband served as mayor of Lake Charles from 1917 until 1925. He was re-elected to that office in 1933 and died after serving more than two years of that term. A businessman, the late Mr. Trotti was at one time a partner in the Gill-Trotti funeral home. Mrs. Trotti is survived by one son, J. A. Trotti, Jr., of Lake Charles, and by one grandson, Dr. W. E. Trotti of Los Angeles, Calif. Deacons of the First Baptist church will be pallbearers. Members and former members of the city council, and present and former parish officials have been named honorary pallbearers. The early Trotti family residence was at Pujo and Bilbo streets, present location of the Pioneer building. ************************** Obituary of J. T. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press, 2/2/1960 LEESVILLE, La. (SPL) - Funeral services for J. T. Trotti, 69, of Hornbeck were to be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday at the Oak Grove church with the Rev. Cecil Laurence officiating. Burial was to be in the church cemetery under the direction of Hixson funeral home of Leesville. Mr. Trotti died at 6:30 PM, Sunday in the Younger Infirmary at Leesville after a lengthy illness. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Beffie Trotti; two sons, Lutcher and Walter Trotti, all of Hornbeck; two daughters, Mrs. Mabel Owens of Hornbeck and Mrs. Chrystelle Vincent of Silsbee, Texas; on brother, S. M. Trotti of Simpson and 18 grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. Gertrude Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 4/5/1961 WEST LAKE (Spl) - Mrs Gertrude Trotti, 48, of 816 Miller avenue, West Lake died at 11:30 PM at her home. The body is at Hixson's funeral home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Mrs. Trotti was born in Lena Station and had lived in West Lake most of her life. She is survived by two sons, Artist Trotti of Dallas, Tex., and John Wesley Trotti, U.S. Navy; one daughter Glenda Sue Trotti of West Lake; one step daughter, Mrs Ava Jean Crumpler of Bridge City, Tex.; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Beebe of Lean Station; three brothers, Hubert R. Beebe of West Lake, Obey and Kent Beebe, both of Lena Station and one sister Mrs. Emmett Monk of Orange, Tex. ************************** Obituary of S. M. Trotti, Lake Charles American Press 6/11/1961 LEESVILLE (Spl) - Funeral services for S. M. Trotti, 78, will be held at 3 PM today at the Simpson church of God with Rev. Earl Carver officiating. Burial will be in the Welcome cemetery under the direction of the Hixson funeral home of Leesville. Mr. Trotti died early Saturday at a Rose pine next home following a long illness. Survivors are three sons, Orville Trotti of Simpson. Dewel O. Trotti of Cibolo, Tex., Alavo Trotti of Page Arizona; five daughters, Mrs. T. E. Bailey of Simpson, Mrs. D. R. Saunders of Ruston, Mrs. A. W. Cryer of Madison, Ga., Mrs. M. C. Stephens of Leesville and Mrs. D. L. Alford of DeRidder; 32 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. ************************** Obituary from 8/10/1962 Lake Charles American Press LEESVILLE (Spl.) - Funeral services for Orville Clyde Trotti, 56 of Anacoco are to be held Saturday at 10am at the Simpson Church of God with Rev. Earl Carver and Rev. Wayne Owens officiating. Burial will be in the Welcome cemetery under the direction of the Hixson funeral home of Leesville. Mr. Trotti, a welder, died unexpectedly at 2:25 PM Thursday, at the Broyle's clinic in Leesville. Survivors include one son, Thurman Trotti of Rolla, Missouri; one daughter, Mrs. Doris Owens of Austin, Texan; two brothers, D. O. Trotti of Cibolo, Tex., and Abro Trotti of Mittie; five sisters, Mrs. T. E. Bailey of Simpson, Mrs. Archie Cryer of Macon, Ga., Mrs. DeWitt Sanders of Ruston, Mrs. M. C. Stephens of Leesville, and Mrs. Dewey Alford of DeRidder; and five grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Jackson C. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Sun. 4/12/1964 LEESVILLE (Spl) -- Funeral services for Jackson C. Trotti, 55, of Hicks, were held at 2pm Saturday at the Hicks High School Auditorium. The Revs. Aubrey Boswell, W. M. Owens, and A. J. McGee officiated, and burial was in the Leesville Cemetery under the direction Hixson Funeral Home. Mr. Trotti, a school board member from Ward 8 of Vernon parish, died Thursday in the Boyles Clinic in Leesville. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. May Temple Trottie; Lake Charles American Press, 4/24/1964 Area Woman Killed in Early Saturday Crash LEESVILLE (Spl) - Mrs. May Temple Trottie, 65, of Simpson was killed in an automobile wreck which occurred at 11: 45 am Saturday on Louisiana 8, east of Leesville. According to investigating officers, she and her husband, B. Francis Trottie, were returning from Leesville when Mr. Trotti apparently lost control of the car about 4 1/4 miles east of Slagle. Mrs. Trottie was pronounced dead on arrival at Broyles Clinic in Leesville, and Trottie received no serious injuries. There were no other passengers in the car. Funeral services for Mrs. Trottie will be held at 2 PM Monday in the Simpson Church of God. Burial will be in the Welcome Cemetery under direction of the Hixson Funeral Home of Leesville. Survivors are her husband, one son, Rayford G. Trottie of Lake Charles; one daughter, Mrs. Shirley Rose Ward of West Monroe; four brothers, A. L. Temple of Leesville, and Issac, Irvin and Edgar Temple, all of Simpson; two sisters, Mrs Ethel Blackwell of Simpson and Mrs. Ollie Garriga of Gainesville, Fla.; and five grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of J. A. Trotti, Jr.; Lake Charles American Press 5/29/1967 Private funeral services for Joshua A. Trotti Jr., 61 will be at 4 PM today in the Hammer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tony Richardson of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. Mr. Trotti died at 9:10 PM Sunday in a local nursing home. He was the son of J. A. Trotti former mayor of Lake Charles. He was an accountant and a graduate of Washington and lifelong resident of Lake Charles, he was veteran of World War II. He is survived by on son, Dr. William E. Trotti of Los Angeles, Calif. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. Mary L. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 1/1/1968 HORNBECK -- Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Leach Trotti, 72, were to be at 1 PM to day in Hixson Funeral Home chapel in Leesville. The Rev. L. R. Chance and Rev. T. J. Crosby were to officiate. Burial was to be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Trotti died Sunday in Alford Nursing home in Leesville after a long illness. Survivors are two sons, Luther Trotti of Hornbeck and Walton Trotti of Mansfield; two daughters, Mrs. Christell Vincent of Silsbee, Tex., and Mrs. Mabel Owers of Hornbeck; 10 grand children, and three great-grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. Rosie Lee Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 8/14/1968 HORNBECK -- Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Rosie Lee Trotti, 40 will be announced by Hixson Funeral home in Leesville. Mrs. Trotti was fatally injured in a traffic accident in Sabine Parish early Tuesday. She is survived by four sons, Lawrence, Jimmy and Douglas Trotti, all of Hornbeck, and Bill Trotti of Spiro, Okla., and two daughters, Judy Ann Trotti of Hornbeck and Mrs. Evelyn Tarrence of Spring Lake, N. C. ************************** Obituary of Benjamin F. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 10/1/1971 HARRISONBURG -- Funeral services for Benjamin Francis Trotti, 71, father of a Lake Charles resident, were to be at 2 PM today (Oct 1) at the Simpson Church of Gd. Burial was to be in the Welcome Cemetery in Simpson under direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Alexandria. Mr. Trotti died at 8 am Thursday in the Catahoula Parish Hospital. A native of Simpson, he was a retired clerk who had been employed at Ft. Polk. Survivors are his wife; a son, Rayford Trotti of Lake Charles; a daughter, Mrs. Shirley Ward of West Monroe; two brothers, Lester Trotti of Bryce and Conrad Trotti of Lake Charles; three sisters, Mrs. Beulah Cargile of Lake Charles, Mrs. Ernie Ward of West Lake, and Mrs. Elizabeth Weisinger of Diboll, Tex.; and five grand children. ************************** Obituary of Rayford Trotti, Lake Charles American Press 3/16/1976 Funeral services for Rayford Trotti, 51, of 3417 McKinley St. will be at 11 am Wednesday, March 17, in the Fourth Avenue Church of God. The Rev. Tom Settlemyer will officiate. Burial will be in Welcome Home Cemetery at Simpson under direction of Hixson Funeral Home. Mr. Trotti died at 9:45 PM Sunday in a Shreveport hospital. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Evie Trotti; three daughters, Barbara Trotti of Simpson, Judy Trotti of Houston, and Donna Trotti of Mississippi; two stepsons, Roger Jones and James Eddie Jones, both of Shreveport, one sister, Mrs. Shirley Ward of West Monroe; one stepdaughter; Mrs. Linda Stahl of Monroe, and three grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Nellie K. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 10/24/1977 Funeral services for Nellie Kate Trotti, 72, will be at 2 PM Tuesday, Oct. 25, in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the West Lake Memorial Garden. The Re. A. D. Becton will officiate. Mrs. Trottie died at 4:35 AM Sunday after a lengthy illness. A native of Saltville, Va. She lived at 1108 Beech St., West Lake. She is survived by two brothers, Harry and Henith Austin, and two sisters, Mrs. Ernest Shupe and Miss Mary Sue Austin, all of Saltville, Va. ************************** Obituary of John C. Trotti, Lake Charles American Press 3/9/1972 Funeral services for John C. Trotti, 68 of 1481 Third Ave, Apt. 1477, will be at 10 am Friday March 10, in the Fourth Avenue Church of God. The Rev. Tom Settlemyre will officiate, assisted by the Rev. C. D. Miles. Burial will be in the Magnolia Cemetery in West Lake. Mr. Trotti died Wednesday afternoon, March 8, in al local hospital. He was a retired Magnolia Life Insurance Co. salesman. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Wesley Trotti of Washington, DC and Webster Trotti of Orange; two daughters, Mrs Ava Jean Crumbler of Bridge City, Tex, and Mrs. Glenda Sue Giddens of Huntsville, Ala.; one brother, Lester Trotti of Lena, three sisters, Mrs. Beulah Cargile of Lake Charles, Mrs. Estelle Ward of West Lake and Mrs Elizabeth Weisinger of Diboll, Tex. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. Reba Trotti; Lake Charles American Press 6-10-1983 Graveside services for Mrs. Reba Trotti, 64, of 646 Gertrude St. will be at 2 PM Saturday, June 11, in Brookside Cemetery in Houston under direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Mrs. Trotti died at 10 am Thursday in a Lake Charles hospital. She had lived in Lake Charles 35 years and was a former employee of Wizard Fas-Stop. Survivors include two sisters, Ruth Kieffer of Lake Charles and Betty Carter of Houston. ************************** Obituary of Luther F. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Sat. 2-28-1987 ANACOCO -- Funeral services for Luther Francis Trotti, 70, will be at 2 PM today, Feb. 28, in Assembly of God Church in Hornbeck. The Revs. Dan Davis and Doyle Carpenter will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery under direction of Hixson Funeral Home. Mr. Trotti died Thursday in his residence. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Margaret Trotti; four sons, Lawrence Trotti of Hornbeck, Bill Trotti of Florien, Jimmy Trotti of Moss Bluff and Douglas Trotti of Leesville; two daughters, Evilyn Parrance and Judy Nunn, both of Haughton; two step daughters, Frieda Gaskin of Leesville and Nell Gaskin of Anacoco; one brother, Walden Trotti of Hornbeck; one sister Crystal Brinkley of Silsbee, Texas, and 17 grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. Dannie G. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Sat. 5/23/1987 WALNUT HILL - Funeral services for Mrs. Dannie G. (Carrie Mae) Trotti, 58, will be at 10 am Tues day, May 26, in Walnut Hill United Pentecostal Church. The Rev. J. B. Yielding will officiate; Burial will be in Castor Cemetery under the direction of Beauregard-Vernon Funeral Home in Leesville. Visitation will begin at the church after 5 PM today, May 25. Mrs. Trotti died at 8:46 am Sunday at her residence in Walnut Hill. She was native of Suligen, Ala. Survivors are her husband; her mother, Annie Bolen of Bruston, Tenn.; one son, George Castle of Alabama; one brother, Allen Walden of Bruston, Tenn.; four sisters; and four grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Evie Burns Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Sat. 3-2-1991 LEESVILLE -- Funeral services for Mrs. Evie Burns Trotti, 65 of Nacogdoches Texas, will be at 10:20 am today, March 2, in Hixson Funeral Home. The Rev. Sherman Busby will officiate. Burial will be in Welcome Cemetery in Simpson. Visitation will begin at 8 am today. Mrs. Trotti died Thursday Feb. 28, 1991, in her home. A native of Simpson, she was a member of the Church of God. Survivors include two sons, James Eddie and Roger Dale Jones; one daughter, Linda J. Stahl, all of Nacogdoches, and five grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Mrs. Walton W. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Sat. 9/17/1991 HORNBECK -- Funeral services for Mrs. Walton W. (Bobbie Faye) Trotti, 62, will be at 10 am today, Sept. 17, in Assembly of God Church. The Revs. James Langston and James Hickman will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery under direction of Hixson Funeral Home in Leesville. Mrs. Trotti died Sunday, Sept. 15, 1991, at her residence. She was a native of Vernon Parish and a housewife. Survivors are her husband; two sons, Charles Trotti of New York, N.Y. and Jerry Trotti of Highlands, Texas; two daughters, Rita Hale of Hornbeck and Sue Corely of Florien; two brothers, J. W. Allen of Robeline and J.D. Allen of Marthaville; four sisters, Audrey Boswell of Natchitoches, Johnnie Moore of Bossier City, Jewel Strickland of Florien and Emily Ingram of Dowline; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Annie Smith Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Sat. 12/8/1993 LEESVILLE -- Funeral services for Mrs. Annie Smith Trotti, 83, of Hicks will be at 2 PM Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Ebenezer Chapel in Hicks. The Rev. Michael Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Leesville Cemetery under direction of Beauregard-Vernon Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 3 PM today, Dec. 8, until time of services at the Ebenezer Chapel. Mrs. Trotti died at 6:20 PM Monday, Dec. 6, 1993 in an Alexandria hospital. A native of Hicks, she was the former owner of the Trotti Store and a former School Board member for Ward 8. Survivors are one son, Howard A. "Rabbit" Trotti; one daughter, Clara Faye Willis, both of Hicks; on brother, L. W. "Coomie" Trotti of La Camp; and 11 grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Raymond A. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Tues 2/27/1996 MITTIE -- Funeral services for Raymond A. Trotti, 81, will be at 3 PM today, Feb 27, in Mittie United Pentecostal Church. The Rev. Wesley Lester will officiate. Burial will be in Simmons Cemetery under direction of Rush Funeral Home. Visitation is from 10 am in the church. Mr. Trotti died at 10:41 PM Sunday, Feb. 26, 1996, in the Oakdale Hospital. A life long resident of Mittie, he was and Army veteran of World War II, serving in the EAME and Asiatic theaters. He was a member of Mittie United Pentecostal Church. Survivors are his wife, Manilla Smith Trotti; one son, Raymond Trotti, Jr. of Mittie; two daughters, Neva Broussard and Jackie Young, both of Mittie; four sisters, Mae Bailey of Leesville, Estelle Sanders of Ruston, Lillian Cryer of Macon, Ga., and Myrtis Alford of DeRidder; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. ************************** Obituary of Walton W. Trotti; Lake Charles American Press Tues 10/19/1996 HORNBECK -- Graveside services for Walton W. Trotti will be at 2 PM, today, Oct. 19, in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home in Leesville. The Rev. James Hickman will officiate. Visitation is from 8 am-noon today in the funeral home. Mr. Trotti died Friday, Oct. 18 1996, in a Leesville care center. He was a resident of Florien. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Sue Corley of Florien and Mrs Rita Hale of Hornbeck; two sons, Charles F. Trotti of New York City and Jerry D. Trotti of Crosby, Texas; one sister Christel Brewer of Silsbee, Texas; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Prepared by: Thomas E. Van Ness 3117 Paradise Acres Hoover, AL 35244-4020 tevanness@juno.com