John Tropsa

John Joseph Tropsa, 83, of East Orleans, Massachusetts died Sunday, February 12, 2012, with his family at his side, after several years of battling a rare progressive disease. He was a retired executive of the Micro Switch Division of Honeywell. Born in Stamford, Connecticut, March 28, 1928, the son of the late John Frank and Gertrude Tropsa. He was predeceased by three siblings, Louis F. Macsata, Alberta W. Macsata and Helen E. Marko. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Doscher Tropsa; three children, Gregory W. Tropsa of Fort Collins, Colorado, Jeffery L. Tropsa of Tempe, Arizona, and Susan C. Tropsa of Scottsdale, Arizona, and 9 grandchildren. Graduating from Stamford High School as Senior Class President he was offered a scholarship to the Juilliard School of music for his rich baritone voice. However, he chose to accept an appointment to the U.S.Merchant Marine Academy and upon graduation became an engineer on a tanker for The Texas Oil Company. He was a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point and earned his Masters Degree in Business at New York University. On September 1, 1951 John married Marilyn Carol Doscher. They built a home in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where they lived for 18 years. He was an active member of the church, a Boy Scout leader and a member of the Charles Pope Choristers. In 1971 he was transferred to the Executives Offices of Micro Switch, a division of Honeywell, in Freeport, Illinois where he resided for 20 years. Honeywell described him as one who justifiably could be called the godfather of the keyboard division. He also served on the Board of CBEMA (Computer and Business Equipment Manufacutures Association) and helped to establish the Martin Luther King Center in Freeport, Illinois. He retired as a Vice President of Sales after 40 years with the company and continued international consulting. John and Marilyn recently moved from Big Sky, Montana, to Cape Cod where he served on the Board of Governors for the Cape Cod Conservatory of Music and Arts, and is a member of the Orleans United Methodist Church. He was a loving and caring, husband, father and grandfather. His passion for reading touched many lives with his thoughts about books and history. He had a love for classical music, opera and enjoyed singing with his children and grandchildren. After his performance as Capt. Von Trapp, Edelweiss became his signature song. He was a voracious reader, adored his grandchildren, relaxing on Nauset Beach on Cape Cod, fly fishing in the Housatonic River, skiing in the great outdoors of Big Sky, Montana and looked forward to their annual trips to Barbados. A commendation presented to him from his company described him with these words. And while they may be dreamers, visionaries are also doers: they see not only the future, but the path and its milestones.that can take us there We love you! Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow forever. His visitation will held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 from 5pm to 7pm in the Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA. His funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 2pm in the Orleans United Methodist Church, 73 Main St, Orleans, MA. Burial will follow in Orleans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to VNA Hospice 434 Rt 134 Suite D-3, S. Dennis, MA 02660, or to the Orleans United Methodist Church. For online condolences please visit us at www.nickersonfunerals.com.