Michael Joseph and Eleanor Trotta Married 68 years, Kings Park couple die at 89 and 91

It was love at first sight when Eleanor and Joe (Michael) Trotta met at a dance in Washington, DC. She was a secretary to the Secretary of the Navy, and he was in the marines. Joe Trotta passed away March 29, 2023, at the age of 89 and his beloved wife, Eleanor, in her 91st year, joined him in eternal rest the next day on March 30, 2023.

After graduating from high school, Joe joined the US Marines Corp to fight for his country. However, he did so well on an exam that he was sent to Puerto Rico to work in engineering. According to his son, Rob, that probably saved his life, as many of his friends did not return home from the Korean War.

Following his service, they moved to Long Island. Joe spent 35 years working at the phone company. He was a member of the Smithtown Landing Men’s Club and an avid golfer and fisherman. He was handy around his home and taught his three sons those skills.

Eleanor worked in the Commack School District and then at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. She loved to cook, bake, and socialize with her family and friends. Her family enjoyed her rhubarb crisp that she made from scratch with the rhubarb from her son’s garden. “Our parents lovingly passed to us the skills we needed to pursue our careers and enjoy hobbies with them,” said their son Ken.

They lived in Commack while raising their children and then moved to Kings Park, where they were longtime residents.

Joe battled with dementia for the past four years, but up until a couple of years ago, he would walk daily at 5am on the boardwalk at Sunken Meadow State Park. Despite Eleanor’s health issues, her mind was as sharp as a tack. During this period, they drew on each other’s strengths and commitment in a love match that lasted almost 69 years. “In the end, they became one person,” said Rob.

“They were always a loving couple, and family came first,” the sons said. “It seems like a good ending to a love story that they should pass away a day apart.”

They were predeceased by their son Michael and survivors include sons Ken of Vista, California, Rob of Fort Salonga, (Wendy), daughter-in-law Laura of Kings Park, and grandchildren Tori, Matt, Michael (Jackie), Andrew, and Liam (Haley) and four great grandchildren. The couple once remarked that they did not have any daughters, but their daughter-in-laws were the best and like daughters to them.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Sweetbriar Nature Center at 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown, NY 11787 (www.sweetbriarnc.org) would be appreciated.

The Clayton Funeral Home in Kings Park handled the arrangements.

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