Hubert Gainer

(Col., USAF, Ret.), 91, of Newmarket, NH(formerly of North Hampton, NH), died on February, 28, 2008 at his home surrounded by loving family. Col. Gainer was born March, 9, 1916 in Freeport, Long Island, NY. He completed pilot training in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and trained other fighter pilots during WWII. He flew combat missions during the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star. Col. Gainer survived a training flight crash and bail-out off the coast of Long Island in 1947 and went on to become the base commander of Niagara Falls AFB from 1967 to 1969. After retiring from the Air Force in 1969, Butch was named manager of Boston's Logan International Airport. Under his leadership, the airport was the first in the nation to meet new FAA guidelines to receive federal funding. Butch was also in charge of clearing the runways after the Blizzard of 1978 and retired from Massport in 1979. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Marie L. "Petey" Gainer, children Kathryn A. Ballew of Reston, VA and Lisa G. Larsen of Danvers MA, grandchildren Christopher A. Ballew, Paul M. Ballew, Kevin M. McCarthy, Andrew J. Larsen and Katalin M. Larsen and great-grandchild Hayden G. Ballew. May God bless you and keep you?..rest in peace Bubba...we love you and will miss you dearly. A memorial service will be held at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, Exeter NH, the time and date will be announced. Col. Gainer's remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seacoast Hospice, 10 Hampton Rd, Exeter, NH 03833. Condolences may be expressed online www.StockbridgeFH.com