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THOMAS G. LT. COL. USAF, (Ret), age 90, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. He was born in Haverhill, MA on July 31, 1920, the eldest son and namesake of an Irish policeman (a keystone cop) and a loving mother. St. James grammar and high schools, mostly staffed by Irish nuns, provided his early education. Too small for football, Thomas excelled in tennis and ice hockey during his years in high school and later in life became an avid Washington Redskins fan. Upon graduation, during the height of the depression years, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and in the sales department of the largest sheep tannery in the U.S. During early 1941, he developed an urge to join the military, in which he enlisted in December of the same year. He won an appointment as a Flying Cadet, U.S. Army Air Corps. At this time his military service began in earnest. In September 1942 he graduated as a Navigator/Bombardier; that same year, he also got engaged to the Sweetheart of his life from Albuquerque, the woman who would become his one and only wife of 59 years. His beloved Kathryn preceded him in death, December of 2002. His first assignment from flight school was in a B-26 Marauders at McDill AFB, in Tampa, FL, and then to England, where he completed 64 missions over WWII Europe as a navigator/bombardier and co-pilot in B-26 type aircraft. His many decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, and one Bronze Cluster; two Air Force Commendation Medals, the French D-day Invasion Medal, European Services Medal with three battle stars, and various other service ribbons. Upon rotation from overseas, he became a ground school and flight instructor in Texas until he voluntarily requested release from active duty. When the Korean War commenced, he was recalled to active duty from Los Alamos, NM, but never returned to flight status because of a serious motor cycle accident after recall. From this time on, however his career became a challenge. He received bachelor and masters from the University of New Mexico and University of California, Berkley, CA, respectively in Management Engineering which qualified him for key assignments in Air Force Systems Command, USAFE, 2nd Air Division Saudi Arabia, and with Joint Task Force-7 in support of nuclear tests in the Pacific. Upon retirement with 27 years active and reserve time, he accepted a position as Head of the Management Systems Division, Naval Ship Research and Development Center at Carderock and Annapolis, MD. After 14 years of service with the Navy, he retired permanently in 1982 to the Land of Enchantment, his adopted state of residence. His societies, religious, and other memberships included Delta Sigma Pi, Society for Advancement of Management, VFW, Air Force Association, Knights of Columbus, Life Member of the Retired Officers, Association, B-26 Marauder Historical Society, 455th Bomb Squadron Association, and a Founding Member of the American Air Museum in Great Britain. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Richard J. Trainor of Salisbury, MA; three sons; Thomas G. Trainor III of San Diego, CA, Robert H. Trainor and his wife, Susan Oak Hill, VA, and Richard L. Trainor and wife, Kathleen of Philadelphia, PA. In addition, 3 grandchildren; Michael and Matthew, preceded him in death. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Shrine of St. Bernadette on Monday, July 25, 2011, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Friends may visit French Mortuary on Lomas Blvd. N.E. on Sunday, July 24, 2011, between 5 and 7 p.m. with Rosary services following at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place with full military honors at the Santa Fe National Cemetery on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shrine of St. Bernadette, or the Brothers of Good Shepherd. Please visit our online guestbook for Thomas at: RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
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