A life-long proud resident of Halifax, he deeply valued his Irish heritage and paternal Prince Edward Island roots.
He attended Oxford School, St Mary’s Boys School and St Mary’s University. As a young man he was a member of the Canadian Military Reserves. Jim was curious, passionate, kind and generous. A natural entrepreneur, creative and full of ideas. He owned and operated numerous businesses in Halifax beginning as a partner in the family businesses : Trainor Auto Service and Trainor GMC. Followed by several retail stores including The Plaid Place and MacDonald Tobacco & Gift which he operated with his wife Barbara.
Jim was happiest in his shops and roaming the halls of Barrington Place Mall and Scotia Square where he connected with people, shared stories, and promoted his beloved Halifax to visitors from all over the world. When he and Barbara retired in 2000, he filled his days and social calendar with a broad range of volunteer service in the Halifax community.
For over 40 years he served the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Canadian Martyrs Parish, making weekly visits to individuals and families in need delivering donations and financial support. He was a former President of the Walter Callow Foundation and long-standing member and volunteer for the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia. We nicknamed him Mr. Tattoo, for his many years serving the Nova Scotia International Tattoo Foundation.
Jim loved Sunday drives exploring Nova Scotia, in search of the best view, a bowl of chowder, a piece of fudge or anything butterscotch – with a hot tea. He loved his steak ‘Chicago style’ - well done! And was never shy to claim the outside cut of the roast. A sports enthusiast he loved following football, golf, formula 1 and hockey - especially his Ottawa Senators.
He would talk to anyone who crossed his path and loved to socialize and keep up with the comings and goings of Halifax. In recent years, his monthly lunches with the ‘Romeos’ at Ashburn were a highlight.
Jim met the challenges of living with Parkinson’s and Dementia with grace and dignity. We are very grateful for the kind and compassionate care from the doctors, nurses and staff of VG-5A. Extra gratitude for the nursing team who listened to his stories with such grace the last 3 months!
Jim loved his family and will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years Barbara Ann (Barrett) Trainor, Halifax and his children and grandchildren: Brian (Sofy Ayala-Trainor) Trainor, Juliana and James, Oakville; Jim (Andrea) Trainor, Madeleine, Evan, Matthew and Lauren, Kanata; Angela Trainor (Sanjay Gopal), New York City; Sarah (Will) Greenwood, Abbey, Liam and Ethan, Halifax; his sister Barbara (Bruce) Jones, Beamsville; in-laws Mary Jean (Mike) Murphy, Jeff Banks, Michael Caswell, Patty (Bob) Melanson and Jackie (Blaine) Mayo, all of Dartmouth. Plus many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents J. Leonard and Muriel (Healy) Trainor, brother and sister-in-law Thomas (Tom) L. and Jean Trainor, his sister Margaret Ann Trainor and baby siblings John and Monica. His sisters in-law Margaret Barrett- Banks and Caroline Barrett-Caswell.
Visitation is August 2nd, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street, Halifax, NS. Funeral Mass will be August 3rd, 10:00 am, Saint Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Road, Halifax, NS.
A reception in the church hall will follow the Funeral Mass. Interment will be at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville.
The Funeral Mass will be live streamed, via Facebook and YouTube. Access via these links:
https://www.facebook.com/Good-Shepherd-Parish-St-Agnes-St-Thomas-Aquinas-176248592394175
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0eNtiYPvZkjsrRqeInhTw/videos
In lieu of flowers, donations are very appreciated for the Saint Vincent De Paul Society of Halifax (ssvphalifax.ca) or a charity of your choice.
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