Photo: QueensPost
Oct. 1, 2012 By Bill Parry
A Woodside street was co-named Martin M. Trainor Way on Saturday, as a means to pay tribute to local man who co-founded Woodside on the Move, one of the most respected non-profit groups in the neighborhood.
The corner of 58th St. and Roosevelt Ave., where the late Trainor lived, was co-named after him in recognition of his community involvement. Not only was he a co-founder of Woodside on the Move but he was a long-time member of Community Board 2, which he later chaired. He was also an attorney who represented several unions in the area.
Several dozen family members and friends joined Congressman Joe Crowley, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer and Michael Trainor (the late Martin’s son) to unveil the new street sign.
“My parents lived in Woodside since the early 60’s and never wanted to leave,” Trainor said. “Even on vacation my father couldn’t wait to get back to the neighborhood.”
“This sign will be here forever,” Van Bramer said, who was officiating his 14th street renaming, “People who leave an indelible mark are worth remembering” he said.
Trainor passed away in August 2009.
Representative Crowley made time for the event during the busy campaign season.
“I thought so highly of him and his positive effect on the community,” Crowley said. “I wanted to physically demonstrate how important he was to me by being here.”
St. Sebastian’s Church is across the intersection from the street corner bearing Trainor’s name, and it played a big role in his four decades of service.
His wife, Mary, taught religion there for years. A nun who served at the church in the 80’s and 90’s recalled that “Martin was a great man, like a big teddy bear.”
Mike Trainor may have summed it up best, saying, “People like my father are a dying breed, and hopefully the sign will inspire others to follow in his footsteps.”
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4 Comments
well deserved.
Bravo!!
Marty was a good person through and through, no matter who you were. He was a dear and kind brother-in-law who helped me through some tough times. He is indeed a dying breed.
Good headline. Need more of this kind of news ..
Good job Martin Trainor, so many have benefited from
Woodside on the Move ……………
…Especially the children of the area …………………