Neil Trainor

Neil Trainor, beloved husband, father, grandfather, soldier, mentor and coach, passed away peacefully on April 12 in his home at Fox Run Senior Living Community in Novi, Michigan at the age of 97. His younger son, Dan, was by his side when Neil took his last breath before his trip to God’s heavenly kingdom. Born on New Year’s Day, 1927, in Crystal Falls, Michigan, this proud Yooper became known through his life for his dedication to faith, family and community. He married his dear Ann (Dycio) in 1957 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit, the very church where he served as an usher. Before long, the couple had moved to Dearborn where they raised five children Patricia (Henry), Jim (Diane), Susan (John), Dan (Jeanne) and Kathy (Scott) on Linden Street. Neil’s and Ann’s steady and loving hands guided the kids through various school, sports and dance activities with all five making it to college, garnering one law degree and one master’s degree along the way. Neil, clearly, was the leader of this pack. Neil’s proud grandchildren total 13 in number, and all are, or did, attend college, garnering numerous awards, grants and scholarships along their academic journeys. The grandkids meant everything to Neil and Ann and seemingly was all he cared to talk about in his later years – well, maybe dogs, too. The number of sporting events, school plays and graduations he attended are far too numerous to count. He was as proud of a grandfather as one could imagine. Neil grew up in Lake Linden, in Michigan’s rugged, and often snowy, Keweenaw Peninsula. He loved to spin stories about his German Shepherd, Wolf, and the solid upbringing he was fortunate to enjoy thanks to his father, Harry, and mother, Elizabeth. At age 17, Neil “fibbed” to World War II Army recruiters, telling them he was 18 years old. This was good enough to get him enlisted in the Army branch of the service where he became a paratrooper and rose to the rank of sergeant. Thanks to two nuclear bombs, Neil’s planned trip to land in Tokyo via parachute was cancelled. Following the war, thanks to the GI Bill that provided World War II veteran’s funds for a college education, he attended the University of Detroit where, when he wasn’t studying or in the classroom, he spent time on the basketball court and on the football and baseball fields. Neil never lost his love of sports, both playing and as a spectator. This trait was passed on to all his children. In his professional career, Neil was a respected and dedicated finance staff senior manager at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn. His career spanned more than 37 years – an impressive span in which he never missed one day of work. Neil was a pillar of the church and community. In addition to many years as a coach at his treasured church, St. Martha’s, he was a quiet and revered leader in the volunteer world serving in many leadership capacities for groups like the Knights of Columbus, The Dearborn Goodfellows (where he was president), 11 years with the city’s Economic Development Committee, 6 years on the Recreation Committee, 5 years on the City Plan Commission – just to name a handful. Neil always made his actions speak louder than words as he quietly, anonymously, and happily worked many late nights and weekends to make his work in all capacities meaningful. Neil will be missed dearly by family, friends and those privileged to know him. Included in this group, impressively, are the many friends of his children who fell in love with him many, many years ago and who he kept track of until the day he passed – and they kept track of him as well. He never forgot a single person he met, and he never wavered in his will to help them and care about them. That was Neil. And, although he may be gone, his legacy of caring, kindness and integrity will continue to live in the hearts of those he leaves behind. A celebration of Neil’s life will take place Sunday, April 21, from 1 – 5 p.m. at O’Brien & Sullivan Funeral Home in Novi, Michigan. From 5 – 6 p.m., family and friends will gather to honor his memory and share stories of his remarkable life. The following morning, a final prayer service will take place at the funeral home from 10 – 10:30 a.m. on April 22, followed by lunch at Big Tommy’s Parthenon Restaurant in Novi – Neil’s favorite restaurant for at least the past 15 years. Please attend and say farewell to one of the greatest men anyone ever met. Memorial donations may be made to The Dearborn Goodfellows

Neil Trainor

January 1, 1927 - April 12, 2024