Samuel Troncalli opened his first car dealership in Decatur and oversaw the growth of what became a family business that operated dealerships across metro Atlanta.
In 1951, this World War II prisoner of war co-founded Troncalli-Mitchell Motors, which sold used cars. He soon struck out on his own with Empire Motors, first located on Lee Street in Atlanta, then relocated to downtown Decatur.
When his three sons and daughter joined him, the Troncalli Automotive Group became a dealership chain that sold new cars for Nissan, Dodge, Infiniti and other manufacturers.
"He was born during the Great Depression, the first generation in a family of Italian immigrants to be born in America," said Charlie Troncalli, a son from Stone Mountain. "Those people were known for frugality and practicality, and the need to protect their families. It is strongly embedded in them, especially the males."
Four months ago, Mr. Troncalli of Stone Mountain thought he had pneumonia, but it turned out to be lung cancer. He died from complications of the disease Sunday at Athens Regional Medical Center. He was 90.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Decatur's Saint Thomas More Catholic Church. A.S. Turner & Sons is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Troncalli was the youngest of eight children born in Birmingham, Ala. He was 12 or so when his parents relocated their produce business to Atlanta. He served as a pilot with the Army Air Corps during World War II and was held captive as a prisoner of war for nearly a year in Germany.
Months after his return to Atlanta, he married Catherine "Kay" Troncalli, his wife of 66 years. He worked as a mechanic, skills learned from an older brother, before he became an entrepreneur.
Over the years, the Troncalli chain has been affiliated with various car manufacturers. They sold Nissan, Infiniti, Saab and Mitsubishi cars in Decatur. Locations in Roswell sold Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep, Lincoln Mercury and Jaguar products.
Today, two dealerships exist -- Troncalli Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Ram and Subaru of Cumming and a Subaru store in Kennesaw. Ed Troncalli, a son from Cumming, runs both. The other siblings have either retired or sold their interests.
"Dad said he had liked fixing cars so he decided to sell some as well," said Catherine Brown, a daughter from Jefferson. "He knew he could do it well."
The car dealer and his wife loved to travel the country in their motor home. He enjoyed boating with the Atlanta Sail & Power Squadron and taught entry-level boating classes.
"He talked about the fantastic life he had a few hours before he died," his daughter said. "He was a special guy."
Survivors besides his wife, two sons and daughter include a 102-year-old brother, Joseph Troncalli of Rome, Ga.; another son, Tom Troncalli of Stone Mountain; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
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