Patrick Matthew Troya

Patrick Matthew Troya It was said, "Patrick had an incredible ability to love without judgment. He had such an open heart and giving soul." This is how his family, friends, co-workers, students and football team will forever remember him. A dedicated educator and coach was taken from us suddenly at the age of 42. His life the past nine years was his complete involvement with Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa. He taught special education math. As passionate as he was about teaching, his greater love was that of football coach. "GO HARD!" That was the message he always gave his kids. Sensitive and caring, "He just had a knack for reaching out and making sure kids were OK", says Principal Mary Gail Steblein. Patrick Troya was born June 19, 1971. He was active in Little League baseball and Pop Warner football. While playing football for Terra Linda High School, his nose was broken by the opposing team, but not his spirit. He refused to leave the game. He went on to play football at College Of Marin still wearing #17 from his TL days. He was heartbroken when upon transferring to UC Santa Barbara, he learned UCSB was discontinuing its football program. He later attended Sonoma State for graduate studies. He was a lifelong 49er and Giants fan. Most of all he loved the annual trips to Tahoe with his friends and their 'Turkey Bowl' every Thanksgiving at Hoffman Field. He taught at Piner High School and a couple others before finding his home at Elsie Allen. The bonus was that football was back in his life. During his vacation breaks he went back east a number of times to teach special needs children at summer camps. Patrick is survived by his parents, Don and Dianne Troya of Terra Linda, brother Steve Troya (Susan) of Novato, sister Lori Struthers (John) of Sonoma, nephew Jason Troya and niece Courtney Struthers. He had the joy of teaching his other niece Marissa Polizzi at Elsie Allen. Also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends, the 'Inner Circle': Tom Maguire, Joe Russo, Zack Green, Mike Pucci, Martin Ogden, Clay Rifkind, Meghan Jones and many more friends. A Mass will be held on Saturday, October 5th at 11:00 AM at St. Isabella's Church, One Trinity Way, San Rafael. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in his name be made to Elsie Allen High School Athletic Dept., 599 Bellevue Ave., Santa Rosa CA 95407.