Joseph Joe Anthony Troilo Sr.

Joseph Anthony Troilo, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Brandy Station on May 6, 2001. Joe was born in Genosa, Italy, August 6, 1920, to Anthony and Angeline Scarano Troilo. After his father served in the U.S. army during WWI, his family moved to Pennsylvania in 1924, as American citizens.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruth Rosson Troilo (Bootsie). They had four children: Kathy Mawn and her husband Rusty of Cumming, Georgia; Pat Gravely and her husband Bill of Culpeper, Virginia, Tony Troilo and his wife Pat of Brandy Station, Virginia, and Frankie Gilmore and her husband Alan also of Culpeper. Joe also was the proud granddad to eleven grandchildren: Chris Mawn, Margie Mawn Jameson, Kevin Mawn, Danny Mawn, Kathryn Mawn, Todd Gravely, Lisa Gravely Conner, Nicky Troilo Keller, Angeline Troilo Brown, Peppe Troilo, and Caitlin Troilo. Joe was an even more proud “GGPep” to nineteen great-grandchildren: Lauren, Jennifer, Michael, Ashley, Timmy, Allison, Brady, Conner, Kiley, Ansley, Julianna, Rosalie, Tommy, Carina, Will, Ben, Matthew, Ruby, and Sofia.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Joe was also preceded in death by his sister Sarah Troiano and two brothers George and Nick Troilo.

After graduating from Vandergrift High School in 1938, during the Great Depression, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp to “see the west.” Instead he headed south, and as he said, “destiny and good fortune smiled on me.” He ended up in Beria and finally at the CCC camp at Brandy Station, where he met Bootsie, whose father was the ice man for the camp. They were married within a year.

After serving his country in WWII, he and his brother-in-law Frank Rosson, along with Bootsie, expanded Rosson’s Garage and Ice House to form Rosson-Troilo Motor Company, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2003 by launching the Culpeper Soapbox Derby.

Joe was a generous contributor to his church, family and, community. He was the oldest active member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, a charter member of the Knights of Columbus of Culpeper, founding father of the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Dept., serving as past chief, president, and captain, charter member of the Brandy Ruritan Club; organizer of the Brandy Station Drum and Bugle Corps, sponsor of the Brandy Bears Softball Team, former director of the New Bank of Culpeper, and one of the first Culpeper “Colonels” to be honored by the Board of Supervisors. In 1964, he was invited to align race cars at the Indy 500.

Joe was also officer and member of many other civic organizations and enjoyed entertaining all with his harmonica. Over the years, his poor vision may have slowed him a bit, but Joe’s love of life and compassion for all inspired those that knew him.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, father-in- law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his family.

Visitation will be held at Clore-English Funeral Home, Wednesday, May 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. A Wake Service will be held at Clore-English the same day at 6:00 P.M. with visitation to follow until 9:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper at 10:00 AM Thursday May 12, celebrated by Father Leo Zonneveld. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery followed by a reception at Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department.

Memorial contributions may be made to Precious Blood Catholic Church, 114 East Edmondson Street, Culpeper, Va. 22701; Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 119, Brandy Station, Va. 22714, or Hospice of Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701.