Evelyn Trombino

Evelyn Trombino passed away at home on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Evelyn Theresa Bernstein Trombino was born April 23, 1921, in Belle Harbor, Queens. She was fond of telling people she shared her birthdate with William Shakespeare. Her father died when she was eight, leaving her, and her sister, Jane, and their mother, Minnie, alone but very resourceful. Evelyn and Jane were very athletic, and loved going to the beach. They made it through the Depression successfully.

She attended Brooklyn College, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1942. Upon graduating, she began working at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. While working in the Material Research building, she met her future husband, Tony Trombino. In 1943, Tony enlisted in the USN SeaBees, deployed to build and fight in the Philippines and New Guinea. He was discharged in 1945.

Evelyn and Tony married in 1946, and resided in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Tony began working with Patterson Brothers Tools, and Evelyn worked for Mark Cross. In 1950 they moved to 118 Davis Avenue, West Brighton, in what was the pony stable and caretaker's quarters of the Wilcox-Gay estate. The main home across the street at 113 Davis Ave. was considered the headquarters of the abolitionist movement and is believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

When the Trombinos saw the house it was love at first sight, and they were immediately welcomed by the Wilcox family. Upon settling into their new home, they became active members of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island.

Their son Michael was born in 1951, followed by his brother Marc in 1955. In the early '60s Evelyn and Tony began their careers with the NYC school system. Evelyn taught Home Economics at Prall (JHS 27); Tony taught Shop classes at JHS 49, PS 17, and The Hungerford School.

At the same time they both attended night school on alternating nights. Evelyn attended Wagner College, and in 1968 received her Master's degree in Education. Tony attended NYU, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree.

According to their son Marc, "One night my brother and I would have dinner with my mother, and the next night we would have dinner with my father. Of course, every night we would have to do the dishes!"

Summer vacations were spent traveling to various campgrounds, and visiting relatives in New Hope, PA, Fire Island and Amagansett, NY. Upon retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Trombino loved traveling together and hopscotched across the globe, publishing accounts and photographs from their travels in the Staten Island Advance. The Trombinos were long-time members of the Staten Island Archeological Society. Also, Evelyn was a member of the Staten Island Color Photography Club, and enjoyed painting landscapes in water colors.

In her sunset years, Evelyn enjoyed visiting her childhood home, and the beaches of Rockaway. She also took pleasure in the company of her home companions, who provided her with selfless love and affection.

Evelyn's son, Michael, passed in 1971. Her husband, Tony, passed in 2002. Her sister, Jane, passed in 2015.

Said her son Marc, "She lived a full life, and we will try to honor her memory."

Viewing is Wednesday, March 30, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Harmon Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 31, at 10 a.m, at Harmon Funeral Home, followed by burial at Moravian Cemetery.

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

(718)442-5056

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Published in Staten Island Advance on Mar. 28, 2016

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