Travel industry veteran Bob Troni died January 31 at the age of 63 due to complications from a heart attack. Troni spent 40 years in the travel industry, including 35 with American Airlines.
"Bob was known as much for his generosity of insight and good cheer as he was for his innovative approach to problem solving and thinking outside the box in order to both move business for clients and to make everyone come out a winner," said Steve Heydt, president of Elite Island Resorts and a longtime friend and business associate of Troni.
Troni started at American Airlines as a ticket agent at JFK in 1969 while attending the New York Institute of Technology at night. He worked his way up through various management positions including manager of Caribbean sales and retired in 2004 as managing director of international sales and marketing. In 2003 Troni was named Executive of the Year by the Caribbean Hotel Association.
Prior to joining American, he served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 -1968, including three tours in Vietnam. He was the recipient of several meritorious commendations, including the Purple Heart.
Bob, who was born in Queens, New York, is survived by his wife Barbara of 40 years, daughters Lisa (Walt) Trierwelier, Carrie (Butch) Butler, Amanda Troni (and fiancée Paul Kuenzle), son Rob, Jr. (Crystal) and seven grandchildren (Patrick, Max, Jessica, Jack, Mackey, Aidan and Robert H. Troni III), as well as by his mother Rosemary Troni of Woodside, Queens, NY, and by his brother George and sister Barbara.
