Clarence TROWBRIDGE

1931 - 2021

TROWBRIDGE, Colonel Clarence Arthur "Cappy"(Retired Army) passed away in Tampa, Florida, August 11, 2021, just shy of his 90th birthday. Cappy led an active and full life of service to others. He attended St. Paul Catholic Church, N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, served his country,and was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 47 years. He was born October 28, 1931, in Schenectady, New York. Cappy was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen; father, LaVerne; mother, Mae; and sister, Jean Stone. Cappy is survived by his six children, Michael (Debra), Paul, Suzanne (Dayle), Matthew (Lois), Thomas, and Leslie Ann (Bruce); stepdaughter, Dana (Gary); 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of lifelong friends. Cappy served others throughout his lifetime. As a young man, he was a lifeguard in New York at the Central Park in Schenectady. He married his high school sweetheart, Alice "Ally" Simmons, and they began their family. He received a full basketball scholarship to Seton Hall University (ROTC) and was a proud teammate of Seton Hall basketball NIT champions. In 2017, Cappy was honored and inducted into Seton Hall Pirates 1952-1953 Men's Basketball Team Hall of Fame. Upon his college graduation, Cappy served in the U.S. Army. He served two tours in Vietnam as a Signal Officer with the First Air Calvary Division. He retired after 27 years of dedicated military service and was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association. His military awards include: The Legion of Merit (two), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service (two), Air Medal (two), Joint Service Commendation (two), Army Commendation, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service (four), Vietnam Armed Forces Honor 1c, Republic of Vietnam Staff Service, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. He was also a graduate of both the U.S. Army War College and the Army Command and General Staff College. Towards the end of Cappy's military career he met and married his second wife, Mary Ellen Peyton. He then began a second career with Satellite Business Systems (IBM) and retired in 1993. Cappy dedicated much of his life to Alcoholics Anonymous and person-to-person support and encouragement for recovering alcoholics. Cappy was a Board Member of the Blackstone Retreat in Virginia, Board Member of the Lake Yale Retreat, and sat on the Board of the Salvation Army in Tampa. He also served as a Chairman of the Tri-County Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous. His home and his heart were always open to anyone that needed help. Cappy would often be heard encouraging others and saying, "Everything's gonna be alright," and "Everything is fine, fine, fine," encouragement we all can remember fondly during this difficult time of saying goodbye. He touched so many people with kindness and a listening ear that everyone who knew Cappy respected and remembered his name. Memorial Service to be held August 29, 2021, 2 pm, at American Legion, 17383 Gunn Hwy., Odessa FL. Social time and food will be shared from 2-4 pm, with the Celebration Service at 4 pm. If further information is needed call: 813-299-2253. Memorial Service to follow in Virginia at the Quantico National Cemetery, date to be determined and announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: A.A. World Services, Inc.,475 Riverside Drive at West 120th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10115.