Charles V. Trofe | Yeadon police chief, 79

Charles V. Trofe, 79, of Downingtown, a retired Yeadon Borough police chief, died of heart failure Thursday at Brandywine Hospital.

Mr. Trofe joined the Yeadon Police Department in 1959. He was promoted to sergeant in 1968 and to lieutenant in 1978, and was acting chief for 10 months before being appointed chief in January 1981. He retired in 1987.

The son of Italian immigrants who settled in South Philadelphia, Mr. Trofe was an orphan by the age of 13. His older brother, Basil, took over his care and enrolled him in Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Media. He graduated from the school in 1949.

During the Korean War, he served in the Air Force in London. He then had a residential painting business. He continued painting houses on the side while working for the Yeadon police, and after he retired until the 1990s, said a daughter, Eileen Nangle.

Mr. Trofe was active with several law enforcement organizations and was past president of the Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

An avid reader and a history buff, he visited many Civil War battlefields with his son, Charles, his daughter said. He was also a Phillies fan and enjoyed politics.

In addition to his son, daughter, and brother, Mr. Trofe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Antoinette Mellina Trofe; daughters Deborah Forrest, Janet Gale, and Christine McClure; two sisters; and seven grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. today at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 2835 N. Manor Rd., West Brandywine. Friends may call from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.