Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 4, 2012

5

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

Mountain Views News Saturday, February 4, 2012

“What’s Going On?” 

News and Views from Joan Schmidt

ANTONOVICH ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR REPLANTING 
TREES DESTROYED IN THE SAN 

GABRIEL VALLEY WINDSTORM

LOS ANGELES COUNTY 
– Supervisor Michael D. 
Antonovich announced a 
$2,500,000 County grant 
program to replant trees in 
parts of the San Gabriel Valley 
devastated by the December 
2011 windstorm.

Grants of up to $100,000 will 
be awarded competitively to 
cities, other public agencies 
and nonprofit organizations 
that partner with public 
agencies. Grant guidelines 
allow for trees to be planted 
in parks and public open 
spaces as well as in parkways 
along residential and commercial 
streets. 

The application deadline 
has been set for May 31st 
for applicants to develop 
comprehensive replanting 
programs. Grants should be 
awarded this summer allowing 
for tree planting as early 
as this fall or winter. Priority 
will be given to the grant 
proposals demonstrating the 
greatest need.

Applications can be downloaded 
from the Los Angeles 
County Regional Park 
and Open Space District 
website at http://openspacedistrict.
lacounty.info or for 
more information, call (213) 
738-2981. 

A LOVING TRIBUTE TO 
AN EXCEPTIONAL MAN:

FIRE CAPTAIN 

ANDY TRONCALE

“I have fought a good 
fight, I have finished my 
course. I have kept the 
faith.”

 This past Monday, 
I was privileged to 
attend the funeral Mass 
for Arcadia Fire Captain 
Andy Troncale at Holy 
Angels Church in Arcadia; 
it was very moving and 
beautiful. Fire Captain 
Andy Troncale was more than an exceptional fire 
fighter; he was a wonderful husband, father, son 
and friend to many. Tragically Andy had lost his 
valiant battle with cancer on January 23, 2012, at 
the age of 52.

Holy Angels is located on Campus Drive and 
the Police blocked off the area. On either side of 
Campus Drive, Fire and Rescues vehicles were 
lined up. The first two vehicles were Tiller Trucks 
- one on the north side from Arcadia and one 
on the south side from Burbank. Their ladders 
were extended and crisscrossed –a Flag of the 
United States hung in the middle-it was awesome. 
I walked down the street and took photos of all 
the units, which included Arcadia FD, Burbank 
FD, Chino Valley FD, Corona FD, La Verne FD, 
Long Beach FD, Monrovia FD, Monterey Park 
FD, Ontario FD, Oxnard FD, Rancho Cucamonga 
FD, and representatives from Los Angeles County 
FD (Both Station #44 in Duarte and #24 in San 
Gabriel County area), San Bernardino County 
FD and Ventura County FD. Children from Holy 
Angels School lined the sidewalk, holding little 
flags and signs - it was very touching. Everyone 
stood at attention as the hearse brought Andy’s 
coffin to the Church through this impressive 
lineup.

Once inside the Church, Priest Father Patrick 
Kirsch, main celebrant, blessed the coffin and 
prayers were offered. (Father Michael Evans also 
presided at the Mass.) The Procession walked up 
the aisle. Pall Bearers included Clark Troncale, 
Ernie Moreno, Carl Troncale, Jr., Mike Clark, 
Peter Canaan, Stuart Swartz, Brian Clark and 
Robert White. At the foot of the altar, the coffin 
was placed and Andy’s family, wife Debbie, and 
sons Clark, Chad and Clint, put the pall and 
symbols over it.

After the Blessing of the Coffin and Opening 
Prayers, Ray Wiley read the First Reading from the 
Book of Wisdom, followed by the Responsorial 
Psalm 23. The Second Reading of Paul to the 
Colossians was done by Ruth Phillipson and 
then Father Patrick read the Gospel and gave 
the Homily, which was very comforting. Father 
began by asking us to listen to God who loves 
us very much and is present with us. “Andy has 
been given a new life-the gift of Eternal Life of 
happiness, peace and joy.” Father related how 
difficult it is to say “good-bye” to a loved one, but 
Jesus himself experienced the pain when Lazarus 
died.

After the Homily, the General Intercessions were 
read by Sam DiGiovanna, former Monrovia Fire 
Chief and Lesley Schwartz. As the gifts were 
presented, “Precious Lord Take My Hand” was 
performed by Vocalist Mary Phillips, accompanied 
by Pianist, Jerry Jaco. After Communion, a 
beautiful rendition of “Because You loved me” by 
Beth Stogner, followed.

Two Eulogies were given. The first was by Arcadia 
Fire Chief Tony Trabbie. He began by thanking 
everyone for their support as tribute is paid to 
“our brother, Fire Captain Andy Troncale. Don’t 
be sad. Wrap yourself in the warmth of his 
memories. … Andy was the embodiment of a great 
firefighter, he had a quick wit, professionalism … 
He transcended being a tough firefighter with 
his gentle and kind ways. He had a wonderful 
smile that lit the room and made all of us smile 
when he entered. Andy was a giving person who 
loved helping others. He brought out the best in 
everyone.”

Chief Trabbie also gave a short account of Andy’s 
career, which began as an explorer with the LA 
County Fire Department at age 15. He worked for 
the California Department of Forestry and Fire 
Protection for a brief time before being hired by 
the Arcadia Fire Department in 1979. Among his 
several awards - in 1984 and 1986, he received 
the Exceptional Service Award from the City of 
Arcadia, and in 
2001 and 2009, 
he was honored 
as Firefighter of 
the Year. 

Chief Trabbie 
said that “Much 
I learned came 
from Andy. He 
handled over 
hundreds of 
calls over the 
years. He was 
calm, confident 
and a step ahead 
… We had a 
connection from 
day one. When 
we met, Andy 
said, “Finally! 
Another Italian 
who can cook good meatballs.” 

Andy had a great love of family. Every evening 
at 11, he would call his mom. He would light up 
when he talked about Debbie and the boys. Chief 
Trabbie ended with a Bible reference, “There is 
no greater gift than to lay down one’s life for their 
friend.”

The next speaker was Mike Cowles, a family friend. 
Mike knew Andy for fifty years and lightened the 
somber mood with stories of childhood pranks 
and great memories. They loved to swim, go 
fishing and ride bikes.

After the Eulogies, the service ended with a 
touching rendition of “On Eagle’s Wings”, followed 
by the Bagpipe Hymn, “Going Home”, performed 
by Fire Captain David Hutchinson.

As the coffin was placed on the Hearse, all fire 
personnel stood and attention and saluted. (There 
were over 200 fire personnel and law enforcement 
members- Arcadia PD was well represented-I 
recognized Lieutenant Mike Castro, Annunciation 
School Graduate.) Mayor Gary Kovacic, Mayor 
Pro Tem Bob Harbricht and Council Members 
Peter Amundson and Mickey Segal also attended. 
It’s estimated over 400 attended services!

After services I caught up with red-eyed former 
Monrovia Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. (Chief 
Sam DiGiovanna is now Fire Chief of Training 
at the Verduga Fire Academy in Glendale.) Andy 
was his close friend growing up. They played little 
league together. While growing up, they played 
firemen in the Chief’s backyard. They joined 
the LA County Fire Department Explorer Post 
Program at age 15 and never looked back. They 
received their training, graduated and spent 
countless days riding along at various fire stations.

Chief DiGiovanna related that “Andy and I 
attended High School together, often in the 
same class … did get into a bit of mischief, but 
always were good kids with our focus on being 
firefighters.”

After they obtained their drivers’ licenses, they 
“bought scanners and listened to where fires were. 
If they were close by, they would go watch them. 
We LOVED the fire service.”

Eventually they both were hired by fire 
departments and shared similar careers. How 
fortunate they lived their childhood dreams. 

Towards the end of Andy’s battle, Chief 
DiGiovanna asked him a question because Andy 
had confided that he knew he was nearing his end. 
He asked Andy, “What can you teach me from 
what you are experiencing and what you have 
experienced?”

Andy simply stated, “Not to sweat the small stuff, 
because it’s all small stuff”.

Chief DiGiovanna ended with “I hope everyone 
can take that little tidbit and put it into practice. 
Though I know it will be hard for me to do, I will 
think of Andy and do my best to live by that.”

Final resting place for Andy is at Rise Hills 
Cemetery in Whittier. What a remarkable man 
Captain Andy Troncale was, he helped so many. 
It is truly amazing all he accomplished in 52 years. 
May memories of his beautiful life sustain his 
family and friends at this difficult time.


VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS EXPO 2012

co-hosted by SBA, Veteran Business Outreach 
Center and SBDC

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Small Business 
Administration, Veteran Business Outreach 
Center and the Los Angeles Regional Small 
Business Development Center Network cordially 
invite you to attend this expo for veteran 
small business owners. The event will have 
an expo area with dozens of resource providers, 
prime contractors and veteran business 
owner organizations. In addition, the event 
will have four separate panels on Supplier 
Diversity, Access to Capital, Government 
Contracting, Certifications and Business Resource 
Providers. Register at www.vboc-ca.
org or by calling 916-393-1690.

 WHEN: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – 9:00 
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 
am)

WHERE: Long Beach City College, Building 
T-1200, 4901 Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 
90808.

Free parking is available in the Veterans Stadium 
parking lot off of Clark Avenue.

 HOSTS: Los Angeles SBA District Office, 
Veteran Business Outreach Center and the 
Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development 
Center Network

 RSVP: Space is limited. Register by visiting 
www.vboc-ca.org or calling at 916-393-1690.

 TOPICS COVERED:

 Access to Capital – Many entrepreneurs need 
financial resources to start or expand their 
small business.

· SBA’s financing is primarily delivered 
through programs via our network of lenders: 
SBA 7(a) Loans (working capital), SBA 
504 Loans (owner-occupied real estate), CAPLines 
(lines of credit), Export Working Capital 
Loans and Microloans ($500 - $50,000).

Overview of Technical Assistance – Small 
Business Development Centers, Women’s 
Business Centers, and Service Corps of Retired 
Executives (SCORE)

· SBA Resource Partners meet the needs of 
small businesses and promote economic development 
in local communities by helping 
to create and retain jobs. They assist with development 
of business plans, provide manufacturing, 
financial packaging, contracting 
and international trade assistance; provide 
no-cost one-to-one consulting to aspiring 
and existing business owners; provide low-
cost training and workshops. Based on client 
needs, SBDCs tailor their services to meet 
the evolving needs of the local small business 
community.

Government Contracting & Subcontracting 
– In Fiscal Year 2010, the Federal Government 
bought almost $500 Billion in goods 
and services.

· Ranging from paper clips and janitorial services 
to space shuttles and advanced scientific 
research – and pretty much everything in between. 
Small businesses received nearly $100 
Billion in contract awards. Recent laws such 
as the Small Business Jobs Act and the Women-
Owned Small Business Contracting Program 
will help put even more of these dollars 
into the hands of small businesses, helping 
them grow, drive innovation and create jobs. 

Supplier Diversity – how to get on large companies 
lists of vendors and suppliers

· Hear from Supplier Clearinghouse, PGE, 
Verizon and Southern California Edison 
on contracting opportunities, how they select 
their vendors and what they look for in 
suppliers.

All SBA programs and services are extended 
to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. 

Reasonable arrangements for persons with 
disabilities will be made if requested in 
advance.


The Pasadena Women's Connection invites everyone to the "WHO WIN$ THE RACE? 
WILL YOUR MONEY OUTLIVE YOU?" luncheon and program on Wednesday, February 
8, 11:30A.M. at the Altadena Country Club, 2290 Country Club Drive, Altadena. 
Keegan J. Tanghe, financial planner, will tell how to make important life decisions necessary 
to get not only to retirement, but through it.

Angela Alexander, former member of the U.S. Air Force, author and inspirational speaker 
explains how she was able to turn pain into power and grief into peace in her talk "Love 
Letters".

Tickets are $23. For reservations or information call Darlene (818)353-2212 or Carole 
(818)790-1907.

PET OF THE WEEK

Oakley: Animal ID # A4386877


Meet the sweetest big puppy at the shelter, the amazing 
Oakley (A4386877)! Oakley is a sensational one-year-old 
brown and black German Shepherd/Hound mix puppy 
who was found in Hacienda Heights on January 17th 
and brought to the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center. 
Weighing sixty-seven pounds, and likely to grow some 
more, this puppy is a favorite of both staff and volunteers 
– everybody who has met him is in love with him! Oakley 
needs training and will be easy to train – volunteers were 
able to teach him “sit” in ten minutes. He is great with 
other dogs and gives his human friends endless hugs. 
There really are not enough superlatives to express how 
fantastic this boy is! Oakley will be the perfect indoor pet for an active individual or 
family living in a private home, and we think he’ll be amazing with kids. To view a video 
of Oakley please click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=meujT_3BWnY

To meet Oakley, please see him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, 
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378). He is currently available now. For any 
inquiries about Oakley, please reference his animal ID number: A4386877. The shelter is 
open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. 
This is a high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more information about 
Oakley or the adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption 
Coordinator Samantha at samanthasayon@gmail.com or 661-309-2674. 

To learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter 
through its Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes 
available for adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-
us/shelter-support-program/.