James Michael "Mike" Tronco

1947 - 2022

James Michael "Mike" Tronco
June 1, 1947 - September 14, 2022
Columbia, South Carolina - James Michael "Mike" Tronco, 75, passed away September 14, 2022 with his wife by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. The son of Joseph Angelo Tronco, and Crystal Rutland Tronco, was born June 1st, 1947. He was a graduate of Saint Joseph's School and Cardinal Newman High School. He participated in youth sports along with cherished family members, and served as altar boy at Sunday mass. After high school, he graduated from Palmer College and received an Associates Degree in Business. Mike was most known for his tremendous influence in the music business. The vocal exploits of his entertainment career began in school talent shows, performing his 1959 original song "Jeanie", and Del Shannon's hit single "Runaway". Throughout the next half century, his vocal career included Warner Brothers Records' baseline recording "Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy"(Whitley-Cobb) and Cameo Records' "I've Been Hurt" (Whitley), as vocalist for The Sensational Epics in the late 1960s. Ultimately, his talent reached hundreds of thousands at public and private events, but most notably, Mike was invited to perform at the 1988 South Carolina Presidential Inaugural Ball for George Bush in Washington, DC. He also performed on stage with musical legends James Brown, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, members of The Drifters, and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones. He balanced his music career as a parent of four children, by his wife of 47 years, Cathy Player Tronco, and as a business owner with his father and sons at General Arts Floors (Tronco's Floor Covering) . In addition to his music and sales/business career, Mike was an avid tennis player for many years, as a member of Rockbridge Club, and was a marathon runner.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, and surviving are his wife, Cobra Hutto Vining; his children; James Michael Tronco, Jr. (Kristin), Claudia Tronco Baker (Shannon), David Clayton Tronco, and Nicolas Angelo Tronco (Erika), Daniel Hoge Vining (Amy), Homer Lowry Vining IV (Kristina), Travis Porter Vining (Vicki), grandchildren; Jameson Patrick Tronco, Samuel Waddell Baker, Isabella Grace Tronco, Fulton Barnes Baker, Oliver Shannon Baker, Olivia Johnson, Rylee Vining, Makenzie Vining, Quinn Vining, Luke Vining, Justin Vining, Lindsay Vining, Ashley Hicks, and great grandchild Madeline Drew Johnson, his brother and two sisters, many nieces, nephews, cousins and Aunt Carmella Tronco Martin.
A funeral mass will be held at noon on September 21, 2022 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. A ceremony in the Rose Garden outside church will follow immediately, to be concluded at reception held at The Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society.
Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.