Author, Southern Connecticut State University Professor Dr. Victor A. Triolo, 84, of Easton, Passed Away

EASTON, CT — Dr. Victor A. Triolo, 84, of Easton, Connecticut, formerly of Brooklyn, New York, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died August 7, 2016, at the Bridgeport Hospital surrounded by family and friends.He and his wife, a pianist, talented vocalist and music teacher, moved to Fairfield, Connecticut, in 1975, where he began his career (1975-2006) as a professor and later Head of Department at the Southern Connecticut State University, retiring in 2006 as Emeritus Professor of Information Studies.

He was the author of numerous publications in the history of science, science information and horticulture.Of Italian decent, Dr. Triolo was a bon vivant and excellent cook, who practiced his culinary skills often, creating a variety of Italian dishes, seafood (lobster was his favorite), and all manners of classic Italian dishes. During a family trip to Italy in 2012, Dr. Triolo was able to indulge in his favorite dishes, including osso bucco, pheasant, rabbit, and for the first time, wild boar. An accomplished pastry chef who studied at the Connecticut Culinary Institute, Dr. Triolo was a capable creator of fruit pies and other sweets, which he enjoyed immensely.

After a long academic career, in retirement, Dr. Triolo, an avid amateur horticulturalist, had become engaged in a number of agricultural pursuits, all of which he adopted¥ with his characteristic passion, energy and attention to detail. Most recently, he had become a tireless advocate for reviving the hops industry in Connecticut, and in that capacity has sponsored research on hops growing at the Connecticut State Agricultural Station in New Haven, which will continue.

Dr. Triolo has published many articles over the past three years on the challenges of growing and processing hops, and become a recognized expert on hop cultivation in the state of Connecticut, whose advice on hop growing is often sought by prospective growers around the state. A lover of craft beers, Dr. Triolo hoped to see the development of a local hops industry that could supply hops to Connecticut's vibrant craft brewing industry.His many other horticulturalist interests included growing figs, stone fruit trees and other varieties of fruits and berries.

His backyard boasts one of the largest pawpaw groves in the state of Connecticut, as well as other rare stone fruit varieties such as qunice and nespole. He had grown and studied over 130 varieties of figs, which he cultivated on his sprawling property in rural Easton. Since 1976 he held positions as the Avocational Plant Nursery Manager at the Sport Hill Nursery, Easton, and as a Rare Fruit Developer. Since 2012, Victor served ably as the Special Projects Consultant, Hops and Malt Grains (beer) evaluation trials, CT Agricultural Experimental Station, New Haven. In this latter capacity he traveled frequently to hops and craft brewing conferences in New York and New England, promoting the adoption of a low trellis growing option for hops. He also has been instrumental in bringing new hops varieties to Connecticut, including British dwarf hops. He also served on the board of the Northeast Hop Alliance.

Born May 31, 1932, in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Carmelo Triolo and Stella Errante Triolo. In 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he married Walia A. Shideleff, who preceded him in death in 2010. He is survived by his brother Alfred A. Triolo of State College, and his brother's four children Julia Triolo (of Rome, Italy), Marc Triolo (of San Jose, California), Paul Triolo (of Rockville, Maryland) and Anne Triolo (of State College, Pennsylvania), as well as by one great-niece and five great nephews.

Victor earned his Bachelor's degree in 1953 at Brooklyn College, his MS Degree at the University of Massachusetts in 1958 and his Ph.D in the History of Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1962, with a doctoral thesis entitled "Systems of Renal Physiology before Malpighi" (published, 1962). He then spent 1966-1971 in Philadelphia working as an Associate Professor at Temple University Health Science Center and at the Fels Research Institute, Temple University, after which he earned an MLS degree from Columbia University in 1973.

A memorial service will take place at a date and time to be announced. Entombment will be private at the Oak Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum, Fairfield. The Larson Funeral Home, 2496 North Ave., is in charge of arrangements. Requests may be made to the Victor and Walia Triolo Horticultural Trust Fund, Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station Foundation, 123 Huntington St., New Haven, CT 06540. To light a candle or leave a condolence online, go to larsonfh.com.