Kenneth G. Trainor

West Leyden - Kenneth G. Trainor, 90, a long-time resident of West Leyden, NY, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2014, at Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, while surrounded by the loving care of his family. Ken had been a resident of the nursing home since November 2013. He was born at the Trainor residence in the village of West Leyden, on April 15, 1924, a son of Alexander Winfield and Bessie Logan Trainor. Ken graduated from West Leyden High School, with the Class of 1941. While in high school he excelled in playing basketball and baseball. Following his high school education, he attended Cornell University School of Agriculture in Ithaca, NY. On November 28, 1942, Mr. Trainor enlisted in the U.S. Army, entering active service on March 23, 1943, at Ft. Niagara, NY. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an armored tail gunner on a B-24 Bomber simply known as "105," in the 742nd Bomb Squadron based in Cerignola, Italy. He flew a total of 24 sorties in air combat in the European Theater of WWII, in campaigns at North Apennines, Rhineland, Po Valley, Central Europe, and the Balkans. Ken was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant on October 5, 1945. He was awarded the EAME Theater Ribbon w/5 Bronze Stars and the Air Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster. Following his service in WWII, Ken completed his education at Cornell University. While attending Cornell, he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Later he and his brother Alex operated a dairy farm in Castorland, before returning to Boonville and West Leyden, where he resided for many years with the families of Hugh and Mabel Trainor and Alex and Kay Trainor. Ken greatly enjoyed stream fishing, downhill skiing, gardening, reading, watching basketball and baseball, putting together puzzles, and solving complex math problems. In his younger years he had enjoyed playing town team basketball. He is survived by thirteen nieces and nephews: Sharon (William) Smith, Luray, VA; Lynn Trainor, Bethesda, MD; Mary (Vincent) Valle, Alexandria, VA; Lance (Diane) Trainor, Boonville, NY; Timothy (Maria) Trainor, New Hartford, NY; Cynthia (Randall) Crill, Cookeville, TN; Melissa (Joseph) Stevens, Utica, NY; Lauri (Kevin) Owens, Leetonia, OH; Nanette (Keith) Owens, Rogers, OH; Nathan (Jill) Trainor, Fredericksburg, VA; Benjamin (Tammy) Trainor, Cottageville, WV; Elizabeth (Robert) Fine, Briarcliff Manor, NY; Brian (Margie) Duncan, Kendall Park, NJ; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his nephew Michael K. (Debbie) Trainor on June 28, 2014. The last of his family, Ken was predeceased by his twin brother, Keith Trainor, in 1928, and brothers Hugh M. Trainor and Alexander W. Trainor, and by a sister, Mary Trainor Duncan. Ken's family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff of Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the wonderfully kind and compassionate care rendered to Ken, especially acknowledging the C-wing nurses and staff and Dr. Restituto Acosta, as well as Ken's special caregivers, Karen LeVan and Dr. Kevin McCormick. His funeral will be held Monday, July 14, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with interment to follow in West Leyden Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday 4-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 232 Academy St., Boonville, NY 13309.