James Tromba

James Tromba, 75, of Torrington, CT, passed away March 13, 2025. He was the son of the late John and Victoria (Parducci) Tromba.

When Jim was born, his parents, John and Vicky were told he might die young, would never talk or even learn to walk. That was unacceptable to them, they never assumed any limitations. Jim thrived because of his parents’ love, determination, and faith in God. Before advocating for a special needs child was common, they were instrumental the formation of LARC (now ARC). His young years into adulthood were very much supported by LARC programs.

Jim attended school first at Southwest and then graduating from the 8th grade at North School. He was good at math and his penmanship was good, often being appointed to keep score with home parlor games. After graduation, he was proud to bring home a paycheck when he worked at local factories and businesses through LARC workshops.

God gave Jim the perfect mother for his needs… he would come to learn a life of routine from the master of routines. From hygiene to watching TV to card games, all activities followed a set routine. His mother taught him to do crossword puzzles and to write down Wheel of Fortune words which taught him spelling and penmanship.

His siblings will recall the black flip top outdated lunch box which he used for years; mom passed; the box was retired.

Jim’s older sister Elaine was / is often referred to as the angel of the family, truth is the family has two, Jim and Elaine were at opposite sides of the intellectual spectrum, but they shared peacefulness and gentleness in living life.

It was very easy to bring Jim joy with the simplest of things. A cake with candles, a card game…if he could win 😊, a peanut jar (which many caught on to) or a delivered card from faithful senders.

Jim enjoyed food; in his sickest days, he never lost his appetite. Jim developed a fondness for peanuts from his father, fostered by his oldest brother’s annual gift of peanuts and a $5 bill. Sort of iconic that losing his ability to swallow would be his demise.

Sister Claire, in Jim’s last years (when homebound) kept him engaged with puzzles, cards and board games. She adjusted the games to his abilities. He would be overjoyed and out would come that smile when he beat her. Brother Jack on his visits, and sister Claire supported his love of puzzles.

Getting Jim to speak was increasingly harder over the years. He wanted his answers to be right…correct and yet he wanted to give an answer you wanted. Also remembered is the opposite, where he just ran off sentences and you were aghast, mouth dropping. Everyone will remember Jim’s raised finger, ever so timidly, when he wanted to speak. Tom drove Jim hard to stay independent and along the way became a parent and lost a brother.

Jim was supported in adult years by Geer Day Care until the pandemic. He maneuvered his power chair on to the van and these drivers knew how to support his independence. Bless them all. The family is forever grateful for his home caregivers... Judie, Orlando, Henrietta, Celine, and Constance. Judie cared for mom and eventually took over Jim. The family would never have fulfilled their parents’ wish of no institutions without Judie’s care, guidance, and love. All of Jim’s caregivers displayed love and attentiveness, like family. Thank you to Hartford Health Care Visiting Nurses who attended to Jim frequently in the past few years to hospice in the end. Both groups showed a lot of compassion in their care.

The family is forever thankful to all of Jim’s nieces, nephew, uncles, aunts, and cousins who made his day and brough out his smile with impromptu visits. Together, they with extended family, were very dedicated with holiday and birthday cards. These were more meaningful than one might think. Jim read every card aloud. His sister-in-law Carmy insisted we all have patience and let him read the cards aloud. Jim even had a mystery visitor or two who would drop off the gift cards to the house. These were past LARC and Geer workers who remembered him long after he was no longer using their services. Thank you all.

Jim is survived by his brothers, Thomas Tromba and sister-in-law Carmy of Torrington, John Tromba, and sister-in-law Fe of Texas; a sister Claire Hanisco of New Hartford, CT, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Sr. Elaine Tromba, MPF.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington to St. Peter Church, (St. John Paul the Great Parish), 99 East Main St., Torrington, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends may call on Saturday morning, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Cook Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Northwest CT Community Foundation - James (Jimmy) Tromba Fund which is an Endowed Field of Interest Fund.