Thomas Traynor

Tommy Traynor of Yonkers, New York passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 3, 2022.  He was 85 years young. Born in Silverbridge Co. Armagh, Ireland to Nicholas and Mary (nee Daly) Traynor. Tommy was the youngest son in a family of four girls and three boys: Pat, Mickey, Bridie (RIP), Mary Catherine, Alice and Rose. He attended Glassdrummond School and was a member of the first-ever school football team and this is where his passion for gaelic football began.

Tommy continued playing gaelic football for Silverbridge through minor and junior ranks before playing for his county in 1954. In 1955, he emigrated to England but not before long was back in Armagh and captained his Silverbridge team to a junior championship in 1959. He went on to represent Armagh at both the junior and senior levels before emigrating to the United States in 1961. Tommy was the only member of his family to emigrate but his home in Silverbridge was never far from his thoughts and he could often be found sauntering Cornonagh Road or on the pitch in Silverbridge at any time of the year. 

In 1965, Tommy married former Kathleen O’Sullivan, a native of Borlin, Bantry Co. Cork and they have been blessed with six children, fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Tommy and Kathleen were co-owners of the Tara Irish Gift shop, Inwood with Sonny (James) and Scotty (RIP) O’Sullivan for over 35 years.

Upon arriving in New York Tommy immersed himself in the GAA network and became a member and player of the Louth-Celtics, New York Celtics and Armagh football club. He held several positions as player, manager, trainer, president, and mentor. For the past 60 years he has been a champion of the young American players and an advocate for the development of underage players on this side of the Atlantic.

He was a devout Catholic and a proud member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association for over 50 years. He was a loving and devoted family man and spent his days, nights and years supporting his children and grandchildren in every facet of their lives. He loved Sundays at Gaelic Park, the GAA, his walks down McLean Avenue with “Uncle Jim”, and his many debates with friends in Ned Devines. 

Tommy will be remembered as a faithful servant of God and will be missed by everyone he met.Tommy is survived by his wife of 56 years; Kathleen, his children Mary (John) Tierney, Thomas (Jen) Traynor, Kieran (Karen) Traynor, Karen (Noel) Cronin, Aiden (Donna) Traynor and Allison (Alan) Hearty.  He will be missed by his beloved grandchildren, Stephanie (Sean), Brianna, Sean, Sara, Aaron, Ciara, Caitlin, Niall, Liam, Emma, Cillian, Claire, Thomas and Robert and his great-grandchild Cian. He will be deeply missed by his sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews and his in-laws near and far. 

A celebration of Tommy's life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York on Friday, March 4th, from 2:00-8:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Barnabas Church located at 409 East 241 Street, Bronx, NY on Saturday, March 5th, at 9:30am. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com