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It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Art Trotman.

Art was a good friend to all the members of Battlegroup Toronto. He was one of the founding members of Battlegroup Toronto and was a dedicated Star Fleet Universe player for many years.

Art's real passion was Federation Commander but before the release of FC he was an avid SFB player and his passion and skills for that game never deserted him. I remember sitting down to play a SFB game with Art, many, many years after he had dedicated all his gaming energy to Fed Comm, and as we rolled out damage on his beloved D7 he would call out the hits on the DAC from memory.

Art's contributions to FC were impressive. He had many, many scenarios published for the game and they all had a certain Art Trotman flair; the story was the thing, balance was a problem for mathematicians, these are scenarios for captains ready to fight to the death no matter the odds.

One of Art's favourite things about the SFU was the miniatures. His collection filled his apartment and he opened his apartment to all of us. He knew each ship intimately and would relate the history of each one with great enthusiasm: who painted it, where he got it, what he thought of the ship; Art knew his starships. Once, having just met him, I was sitting at his gaming table, surrounded by hundreds of miniatures and Art decided to test his new gaming friend; he asked me to please pass him the WYN GBS. He smiled and watched me scan the fleets of ships all around me. He needed to know where I stood on the starship knowledge spectrum. I passed him the wrong mini. It was a very educational night.

More than devotion to any game, however, Art Trotman was devoted to his friends. It wasn't easy for Art to get to gaming sessions but if he wasn't completely incapacitated he would brave snow, rain, flights of stairs, the vagaries of Toronto cross-town traffic, to be with his friends, to have a slice of pizza and argue about stuff like Star Trek (favourite episodes), comic books (Thor or Hulk), religion or food (he made grandiose claims for his lasagna).

All gamers know that strange, wonderful, thing that happens when a handful of people get together to roll dice and push around starships. We sit down at the table and then after what seems like a few minutes you look up at the clock and three hours have zipped by in the company of our friends and our imaginations. Art was a big part of that atmosphere for us and Battlegroup Toronto will feel his loss.

We are awaiting the announcement of a memorial service for Art, and will provide the details once they become available.

By Andy Koch (Droid) on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 - 06:38 am: Edit

I didn't know Art, but that was very well said Sebastian. My condolences to his friends and family.

By Paul Cordeiro (Ogoptimus) on Friday, November 05, 2021 - 01:20 am: Edit

I didn't know Art that well, and lost touch with him many years ago. But I do remember his passion for the game, his love of scenarios/campaigns/storytelling and miniatures.

I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - 07:59 pm: Edit

It is with great sorrow that we report that Joe Stevenson has transferred to the Black Fleet. He was, at various times, on the F&E staff, and was a fixture at F&E events. He contributed a lot of insights to the F&E rules development process. We have awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of all that he did over three decades. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family in this sad time.

By Lawrence Bergen (Lar) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - 09:20 pm: Edit

Horrible news indeed. Joes was just out to CA to visit a few folks from the California Sacramento battlegroup (Tim Losberg, Jimi Laform, and me). Visit with David Janhke. He and I also had a great lunch before he left where my son got a chance to join and hear some of the old stories. A great SFU/F&E loss to be sure.

By Chuck Strong (Raider) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 05:11 am: Edit

Joe played a significant role in F&E. He and Pete Dimitri maintained the interest in the F&E player community on the GEnie BBS during the dark times of the TFG/ADB interregnum which lead to the massive re-interest in F&E at Origins 2000 and ADB releasing F&E2K and the modern line of F&E modules. He loved playing F&E and I will miss my friend of over 25 years. My deepest condolences to his wife Susanne, his family and friends, especially those of you who here who knew him and played F&E with him.

Chuck Strong, FEDS

By Jessica Orsini (Jessica_Orsini) on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 - 07:54 am: Edit

This one hit me hard. I'm going to leave it at that.

By Ted Fay (Catwhoeatsphoto) on Monday, January 26, 2026 - 01:29 pm: Edit

Joe's loss hurts. Hard to process.

My condolences to everyone affected by his loss.

By Dave Cheng (Dcheng) on Monday, January 26, 2026 - 10:20 pm: Edit

Joe Stevenson’s wife Suzanne posted this info on FB about the upcoming service:

To all Joe's many valued friends, employees, and customers, there will be a Celebration of Joe's Life, planned for some Saturday in March. In accordance with Joe's wishes, the service will not be religious. Rather, it will be filled with food, 80's music, and it will be open mike. I thought everyone could either do a reading, or tell the "Joe story" or reminiscence of their choosing. This will be held at a hotel to accommodate as many people as possible and have rooms available for those coming from a distance. Please forward your email address to ecksphile@gmail.com if you would be interested in attending.

Joe lived in New Jersey, so I am assuming this event will also be in NJ.

By Jessica Orsini (Jessica_Orsini) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - 07:26 pm: Edit

Thank you, Dave; much appreciated!

By Jessica Orsini (Jessica_Orsini) on Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 08:56 am: Edit

Bit of an update: Suzanne is going to try to see if, when the Celebration of Joe's Life happens, she can get some help setting up a Zoom feed for those of us who can't make it there in person. She'll shoot out an email blast as the time gets closer with further updates.

By Lawrence Bergen (Lar) on Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 09:27 pm: Edit

Southwest is having a sale right now for March flights. See their website for more info.

By Oliver Dewey Upshaw III (Oliverupshaw) on Friday, January 30, 2026 - 06:54 pm: Edit

Joe will be missed.

By Daniel Glenn Knipfer (Dgknipfer) on Friday, February 13, 2026 - 07:33 pm: Edit

(Much use of inappropriate language due to shock.)
Just saw the report about Joe. What a gut punch.

According to Joe's facebook (posted by Suzanne).

Joe's celebration of life will be on April 11, 2026 from 2-4 pm at Hilton Garden Inn, Route 22 West, Springfield, NJ

There will be food, drinks, music, everyone invited to speak about Joey, and if all goes well, a Zoom call, so those from a distance can also participate. Suzanne posted an email in the facebook post and asks that anybody attending RSVP through that address so she knows how much space and food will be required.