TRONOLONE - Daniel G. Sr. Esq., fierce advocate for his clients for 55 years dies at 88

Daniel G. Tronolone loved the practice of law. Whether in the good times when a client adopts a child, buys a house or starts a business or when a client or one of their children needed help in the middle of the night, he was there for them and they knew it. Mr. Tronolone was a tireless advocate for his clients. He would frequently take on cases other lawyers wouldn't touch because he was drawn to help people. Faced with the impossible he would say "I think we can find a way". His cup was always half full. He was fearless in his representation. Although a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, he was known as a tiger in the courtroom and a negotiator who rarely took no for an answer. His clients loved him for it. And he treated them like family. Mr. Tronolone would never have become a lawyer if he had taken no for an answer. He came to the practice of law the hard way. Mr. Tronolone attended St. Bonaventure University. He cherished his time at Bona, but was unable to complete his coursework because his father became ill and he had a growing family of his own. He went to work as a Title Searcher and Real Estate Appraiser, forming Bonville Properties with his father, the late Daniel L. Tronolone. Through those early years he worked closely with many attorneys and dreamed of becoming one. However, he learned his college credentials were not good enough when an admissions representative at UB Law School told him that he was an excellent writer but his application was rejected and said he could never become a lawyer. Then, by chance, he ran into a young lawyer who had not been to law school and he learned that New York State had a program where a person could self-study the law and clerk or apprentice with a sponsor firm. Once enough hours were achieved they could sit for the Bar Exam and become a Lawyer. He had found a way. While working as a law clerk Mr. Tronolone actually helped law students prepare for the notoriously stringent New York Bar Exam. He became a proctor for a Bar Review Course he had found. A prominent New York City lawyer would send reel to reel tapes of his lectures to Mr. Tronolone who would play these for Bar preparation study groups. Mr. Tronolone was admitted to the Bar in 1970 and continued to mentor scores of young law students and lawyers who went on to become successful trial lawyers, prosecutors and Judges. For several years he ran an innovative introduction to the courts program for the Erie County Bar Association where newly admitted lawyers would tour the courts, learn the nuts and bolts of where to file cases, find courtrooms and meet judges they may appear before in the future. Mr. Tronolone formed his first law firm, Tronolone and Tronolone, with his cousin, the late Robert J. Tronolone. Born just 6 days apart they had been inseparable growing up, playing baseball, driving an old Willys field car and spending time together at a shared family farm. They enjoyed practicing law together for several years. Later Mr. Tronolone formed Tronolone and Surgalla, PC with John Surgalla. The firm has been in general law practice for over 40 years. Mr. Surgalla will carry on the practice. With his easy smile, quick wit and knack for strategic thinking Mr. Tronolone joined the ranks of Buffalo's cadre of outstanding Italian American lawyers. The work was exciting and fulfilling. Mr. Tronolone had a passion for helping people in trouble. It was common for him to show up at local police stations in the middle of the night impeccably dressed in a dark suit and tie if clients were being held there. He always put his clients first. One of his best business relationships and friendships began when he agreed to review a real estate contract on a Sunday afternoon for a doctor moving here from out of state. This saved his new client a return trip from New Jersey before moving to Buffalo and began a lifelong bond. Almost everyone Mr. Tronolone came in contact with seemed to benefit if they as much as mentioned a problem. He always had a word of encouragement or a contact who might help another person out. If you called the contact and mentioned Tronolone sent you they would frequently treat you to red carpet attention out of gratitude for some service large or small Mr. Tronolone had provided them in a time of need. He was a champion of small business people... helping them form corporations and advising them. Many business clients say they could never have been successful without his counsel. Mr. Tronolone had an intense passion for sports and competition. As a young shortstop in the 1950's he tried out for the New York Yankees at their tryout camp North Collins, NY. He was actually called back the following year, but family came before the dream by then. Of course, the competition for Shortstop was pretty stiff with his hero Phil Rizzuto as the Yankee starter! Mr. Tronolone played Muni baseball, winning the Lake Shore League 1956 championship for the East Aurora Advertiser club. Later he would feed his competitive nature playing Goalie in a men's hockey league and coaching his sons, Ronald "Gunner", Daniel Jr. and Phillip Tronolone in the Depew Saints Hockey organization as well as being active in the newly formed Southtowns Club Hockey league, sharing coaching duties for Hamburg Junior Varsity. In addition to the three boys hockey schedules summers were spent at local art shows including the Allentown Art Festival where his late daughter, Robin Tronolone, displayed her work. She had studied under the great master artist, Leon Koskow, in oil painting and watercolors. Mr. Tronolone always involved his children in everything he did, frequently taking the children on weekend client visits to all sorts of businesses and homes from the city of Buffalo to the surrounding towns. It was his way of sharing his time. The travelling education served them well. Mr. Tronolone later enjoyed sharing client referrals with his sons Gunner, now a commercial Real Estate Broker and Phillip, a Prudential Financial Advisor. Daniel Jr also worked side by side with him preparing Real Estate closings at Tronolone & Surgalla, PC. For many years. Mr. Tronolone was a lifelong car enthusiast starting with the convertibles he drove around the countryside through the hills of the Eden area in his high school years to the British sports cars he later enjoyed as well as a silver anniversary Corvette. He was still driving and fully enjoying his BMW convertible just two weeks before his passing. His life was always filled with lots of laughter, he even found humor in the darkest moments of his recent medical treatments. Daniel G. Tronolone is remembered as a loving father, and grandfather, great friend and for the hundreds of people he helped in Western New York for over half a century.

TRONOLONE - Daniel G. Sr. Esq. August 15, 1937 - October 5, 2025 Of Orchard Park, NY. Beloved husband of Sally (Giordano) Tronolone; dearest father of Ronald "Gunner" (Maria), Phillip D. (Peggy), Daniel G. Jr. (Monica) and the late Robin J. Tronolone; grandfather of Kristin (Jason) Crosby, Ryan Sims, Eric Tronolone, Alexandra (Joseph) Turrentine, Daniel Tronolone, Christian Peracciny, Madeline Peracciny, Sophia Tronolone and Danielle Tronolone; great-grandfather of Jackson, Georgia, Harper, Everly and Nayomi; loving son of the late Daniel L. and Mary E. (Termato) Tronolone. Family and friends will be present Monday, October 13, 2025 from 2-7 PM at the CASTIGLIA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 873 Abbott Rd., South Buffalo, NY, (716) 824-6435, where a Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 9:45 AM and at St. John XXIII Parish, 1 Arcade St., West Seneca, NY, at 10:30 AM. Mr. Tronolone was a distinguished attorney and practiced law in Buffalo, NY for 55 years. He was a mentor to many successful lawyers, judges and prosecutors. He is remembered most for the scores of people he helped and as the most loving father and grandfather. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Buffalo, Inc. Please share your condolences at: www.castigliafuneralhome.com