I retired from IBM in 2012 and the first thing I did was join the Meshomasic Hiking Club (MHC). A few weeks later, I joined the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology (FOSA). When I attended Field School in May, I thought I recognized another of the members but couldn’t figure out how I knew him. Well, imagine my surprise when I found out that Jim Trocchi was also a member of the MHC! AND he worked for IBM, as well. So, right off the bat we had a lot in common and always had something to talk about on a hike or at a dig.

I got to know Jim over the past 13 years and always enjoyed his company. He was very even tempered and kind; as many have said, he was a true gentleman. It was obvious that he was pas sionate about nature and history and wanted to share those passions. My favorite memory of him is from when we were on an MHC hike along the Farmington River in Avon, near the Brian Jones site. He talked to the group about the history of the Farmington Canal and pointed out the remains of the aqueduct over the Farmington River. My husband, Jack, was very interested and, a few days later, Jim thoughtfully gave him a 20-page copy he had made of a publication by the New Haven Colony Historical Society entitled “The Story of the Farmington Canal”.

He supported FOSA in so many ways; as a Board member, Treasurer, participant in field work, helping with our newsletter, printing programs and signs for our annual meetings, and just being always available to help. It came to my attention that he was reluctant to take over for Dreda Hendsey as Treasurer, but once he did, his work was outstanding and he was instrumental in incorporating our online payment system. He was also a contributor of archeological articles in our Newsletter. If you go to the Reprints section of the FOSA website you'll find that he authored 20 articles, ranging from backyard excavations to a history of the Connecticut River, native American tribes and the iron industry in the state. All well-researched and well-written.

Many people were surprised to learn of his age because he was strong and vibrant, setting up canopies, working with a shovel and crouching down in a unit to trowel at our digs, as well as wrestling with shelving that he helped build in Building 1 at Horsebarn Hill. He was quiet and sometimes over looked, but he was very effective at whatever task he took on.

His contributions were recognized by the Board with a Certificate of Appreciation in 2023, which you can find by clicking: here".

In closing, I have to say that Jim was loved and respected and will be deeply missed by all of us at FOSA.