Judge Alfred Talmadge Truitt Jr Obituary

Judge Alfred Talmadge Truitt Jr Obituary

Obituary:

Judge Alfred T. Truitt, Jr, after living a full life devoted to his family and to the law profession, died at home on June 5, 2015. He was born April 5, 1927, in Salisbury, the first son of former Mayor Alfred and Lillian "Mitzi" Truitt at Peninsula General Hospital. A true Salisbury native, he attended Miss Harold's kindergarten, Salisbury Teacher's elementary school, graduated from Wicomico High School in 1944 and Western Maryland College in 1950. Although he graduated from University of Maryland School of Law in 1953, he was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1952. Shortly thereafter he dedicated the remainder of his life to public service. From 1959 to 1971, he served as the State's Attorney for Wicomico County, he then became the first Public Defender for the county from 1972 through 1977. His tenure on the bench spanned more than five decades, beginning with his appointment by Governor Marvin Mandel as Associate Judge, First Judicial Circuit, in 1977 and served in that role until 1990, then becoming the Chief Judge and the Circuit Administrative Judge for the 1st Judicial Circuit until his formal retirement in 1997. After his official retirement in 1997, Judge Truitt continued to preside over Circuit and District Court proceedings in Wicomico, Dorchester, Worcester and Somerset counties until the week of his death. One of his proudest accomplishments was the number of law clerks he mentored who became integral parts of the judicial system. Throughout the court system he was a valuable resource, admired for his vast legal knowledge and his passion for justice.

An impactful period of his life was as a Sargent in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1945 to 1946 when he was assigned to the historical Nuremberg trials as an Army photographer.

He was a longtime member of Green Hill Yacht & Country Club, Salisbury Elks Club, Salisbury Lions Club, and the Maryland State Bar Association. He held the office of Chairman of the Conference of Circuit Judges for the State of Maryland in 1985-86. The law library at the Wicomico County Courthouse was dedicated to and named after Judge Truitt in September, 1993.

"Sonny" married the love his life “Bobbi” - Clara May Monigle, on June 16, 1951, who preceded him in death on March 21st of this year. As proud as he was of his distinguished career, what he treasured most was his extensive family of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He is survived by his five adoring children and their spouses; Christine Bozick (Peter, Jr.), Alfred T. Truitt, III "Bruzz" (Debbie), Cathleen Campbell (John), Margaret Engler (Steve), Michael Truitt (Beth). He also leaves behind a proud legacy of 18 grandchildren; Shannon Monacelli, Lindley Bounds, Sara Bounds, Christopher Truitt, Connor Truitt, Hannah Campbell (deceased), Lindley Campbell, Clara Campbell, Brian Engler, Caitlin Engler, Matthew Engler, Libby Truitt, Bennett Truitt, Peter Bozick (Kelly), Megan Leslie (Roscoe), Stephanie Price (Carter), Julia Wycall (Teddy) and Sarah Sullivan (Michael), as well as 7 great children.

Judge Truitt was considered a pillar of the community and a central figure in the downtown Salisbury arena. Judge Truitt was a renown storyteller whose ability to recount events was without equal. He was a repository of history and local folklore. He will always be remembered as a man of character to whom public service was a noble and worthy personal pursuit.

A viewing will be held at Holloway Funeral Home on Friday, June 12, from 5 to 8pm. A funeral service will begin at 2pm on Saturday, June 13th, at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, 217 Beaglin Park Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804.

Donations in memory of Judge Truitt should be made to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore for the “Alfred and Clara May Truitt Memorial Fund” to Suite 401, 1324 Belmont Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 501 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.