The Rev. Dan Trainor, pastor emeritus of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Providence and a founder of the Genesis Center to assist refugees who settled in the city’s West End, died Monday. He was 83 and had been in frail health recently.
Father Trainor was known as a clergyman of great faith and a strong advocate for social justice. He was a smart, kind and friendly man, humble and a wonderful companion for a drink or dinner.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late William and Katherine (Martin) Trainor. After graduation from La Salle Academy in 1953, he entered Our Lady of Providence Seminary. He was ordained by Bishop Russell McVinney in May, 1961.
Rev. Trainor served an assistant pastor at St. Francis Church in South Kingstown, St. Rita Church in Warwick and St. Theresa Church in Providence. In 1971, he was assigned to Assumption Church, where he spent 36 years serving as administrator of the team ministry and pastor.
Rev. Trainor was the brother of the late Joseph Trainor, a top Rhode Island Statehouse Finance Committee legal counsel for whom Room 35 at the capitol is named.
In 1982, Rev. Trainor and Sister Angela Daniels started the Genesis Center at the former Assumption School to assist refugees from Southeast Asia who were settling in the capital city’s West End. The center provided help to refugees in need.
He was proud of his Irish heritage. He was a member of the LaSalle Academy Hall of Fame and was Grand Marshall of the Providence St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2003.
Calling hours are scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Assumption Church at 791 Potters Avenue in Providence. A concelebrated Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Assumption Church. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to Assumuption Church will be appreciated.