Albert H. Trotalli

“When he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun”.
-William Shakespeare

Al Trotalli was not only a great athlete and coach, but also a great and humble man. He was honest and fair. Al was an ideal husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His love of family was only rivaled by his love of athletics.

He lettered in ice hockey and football at Madison West. In football he was named Outstanding Sophomore, 1st Team All-State (both offense and defense). He was named captain of the Madison All-City Team and was the starting guard for the South in the statewide All-Star Game.

He chose to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and made the freshman team until his playing was ended due to a knee injury.

After graduation, Al became head football coach, AD freshman basketball coach, and head baseball coach of Barron High School where they defeated archrival Rice Lake for the first time. After two years, he went to River Falls and only lost one game in two years. Then Al went to Greenfield and established winning seasons and virtually every sports program on campus. He was the first wrestling coach at the school, helping Greenfield’s program achieve two state qualifiers in its first season. Greenfield High School honored Al’s athletic prowess by naming the football field after him in 1984.

He was line coach for the West Allis Spartans semipro football team and inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1985. Retired in 1989, Al spent his time in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin (just north of Minocqua) on beautiful Trout Lake, yet still found the time to volunteer his experience and expertise at Lakeland High School.

Al remained in contact with former players from all five schools. He touched so many different people in so many different ways.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Peg Trotalli; daughter, Lisa (Brad) Tank of Winnetka, IL; son, Tony (David Jackson) Trotalli of Evanston, IL; and by two grandchildren, Nick and Madeline Tank; and by two siblings, Robert Trotalli and Mary Jean Pitts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Irene, and sister, Dolores Disch.

Al was a member of the Knights of Columbus and he loved the outdoors. He was a friend of the forest, to creatures great and small.

Al led a rich and fulfilling life and enriched the lives of all who knew him.

You are loved and will be missed. Thank you, dear Al, for everything.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Al to the Northwoods Wildlife Center, 8683 Blumenstein Rd., Minocqua, WI 54548. Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgern.com. Nimsgern Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family.