Franco Triolo

Dr. Franco Triolo Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures, Emeritus

Franco Triolo of Williamsburg, VA passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 85 on November 15, 2023. Mr. Triolo came to the United States from Sicily, Italy at the age of 17 to Baltimore, MD where he completed high school and pursued higher education. Franco graduated from the University of Maryland where he received a B.A. in French and Classics and a Master’s degree in French and Comparative Literature. He also played for the University's soccer team from 1959 – 1961. Mr. Triolo then attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana where he received his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Italian in 1974. While working as a Teacher's Assistant at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1972, Franco met his wife of 21 years, Jean Triolo. They married in 1973, and then moved to Athens, GA where he worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia in Comparative Literature. They moved to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1975 where Franco worked as an Associate Professor for the College of William and Mary’s Modern Language Department for 30 years. During his tenure at William and Mary, Professor Triolo taught courses in French and Italian Language, Italian Literature, Cinema, and Culture, and Comparative Literature. Dr. Triolo was instrumental in creating an Italian Language House for students, and he served for many years as the faculty advisor. He was also the organizer of the Carlo Bellini College Lectures, dedicated to the memory of the College's and America's, first professor of Modern Languages and Literatures. In 1988 Franco co-founded the Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO) in Williamsburg, VA. Franco is survived by his loving children, Michael and Mari-Elaine Triolo, his former wife Jean Triolo, and his beloved sisters Carmela Serafini , Anna Clevenger, and their families. Dr. Triolo will be entombed in Baltimore, Maryland at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery after a Funeral Mass at St. Leo The Great Roman Catholic Church, 227 S. Exeter Street at 11am on November 28th. There will be a visitation at the church from 10-11am. A Memorial Mass will be said at William and Mary’s Catholic Student Chapel, Harrison Ave, Williamsburg, VA later in December. All floral contributions please be directed to the church.

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