Attorney Joseph Trotta

Trotta, Attorney Joseph
Attorney Joseph F. Trotta entered into, as he would say "the great courtroom in heaven" on May 24, 2013. While on his honeymoon in Italy, he sustained injuries from a fall and after 9 weeks he was cleared to return home by air ambulance but passed away on his way home over England. Joe is survived by his beloved wife and partner Erica W. Todd, his stepdaughter Maryann Pascarelli, granddaughter Lindsay Denise Bower, his godsons Greg Catania and Dante Segnatelli, a nephew Andrea Geremicca from Italy, and an aunt Louise (Angelo) Gentile. He was the son-in-law of Elizabeth Todd and the late Richard Todd, DVM. He is also survived by many cousins, some of whom were like his brothers Ralph Gentile, Salvatore and Fred Trotta. He was predeceased by his sons Dennis Garvey Trotta and Joseph Trotta, Jr. Joe was born in New Haven August 8, 1932, the only child of the late Judge Fred Trotta and Louise Gentile Trotta. He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School where he played football. He went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania and completed his law degree at University of Connecticut in 1957. He proudly passed the bar exam before completing law school. Upon graduation he joined the Trotta, Trotta & Trotta law firm with his father and uncle. A highly respected trial attorney, Joe was sworn into the US District Court in 1958, the Second Circuit Court in 1962 and the US Supreme Court in 1965. In 1960 he became a member of the New York State Association of Plaintiff Trial Lawyers. In 1964 he was awarded the first summary judgment in a negligence case in the State of Connecticut. He was a Special Master in US District Court and Attorney Trial Referee and Fact Finder/Arbitrator for the State of Connecticut. His law firm was bestowed the honor of Go To Law Firm for Fortune 500 Companies. Joe was an early member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and in 2003 he became a member of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates) where he was also a Senior Fellow. From 1971-1975 he held a New York Horse Racing License. Joe was a member of the Knights of St. Patrick, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Pennsylvania Tau, Mory's, Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the New Haven County Bar Association. He enjoyed boating, cars, football, horse racing and lunching with his friends at Brazi's. Joe will be missed for his kindness, generosity, wit and charm. His funeral will leave the IOVANNE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 11 Wooster Pl. Tuesday morning at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Stanislaus Church at 10. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers contributions in Joe's memory may be made to the Joseph F. Trotta Memorial Trust, PO Box 802 New Haven, CT 06513. Sign Joe's guest book online at www.iovanne.com.