Mr. Michael O'Traynor

Michael O'Traynor, until recently a resident of Littleton, NH, passed away peacefully at home on February 8 with his wife of 30 years, Alice, his 101 year-old father, Richmond, and other family members by his side. Michael was truly a "man for all seasons" with a rich and varied history. He graduated from Portsmouth High School with the class of 1962. He was a class officer, enjoyed doing comedy skits for the Clipper Minstrels, and was a good friend to many. After high school, he spent 4 years in the seminary, ending up in Ottawa, Canada. He left the seminary and married his first wife, Shirley, built the first of many (80+) dove-tailed log buildings, and raised a family of 5 children. He taught philosophy at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College in Canada. When not teaching, he MC'd Canada's version of "Reach for the Top" quiz show on TV and hosted another TV show entitled "Tales from the Ottawa Valley." He wrote a weekly newspaper column, acted in and/or directed many local productions, founded Ontario's first shelter for women and children, and served as the secretary of Canada's Liberal Party. In 1987, Michael got back together with his high school sweetheart, Alice, (also a 1962 PHS graduate) and the two of them married, combining his 5 children and her 2. They spent 30 wonderful years together. Michael and Alice returned to NH in 1989 when Michael accepted a position as Director of the North Country Education Foundation. During this time, Michael wrote a column, "Under the Mountain," for the NH Sunday News, authored a biography of Littleton Coin & Stamp founder Maynard Sundman, bought and refurbished the Littleton Diner and continued building log cabins. The couple maintained homes in northern NH for 28 years. In 1990, they started a business helping school districts get reimbursement from Medicaid for the health services they delivered to special needs students. This service to schools grew rapidly and they soon found themselves working with school districts in 20 states -- including many out West. During this period, they maintained second homes in Mancos, CO and later in Phoenix, AZ and enjoyed exploring these Western areas. But he and Alice always loved coming back to Portsmouth and dreamed of someday living right downtown, so they moved back to their hometown in May of 2016, where they were able to link up with some old friends and make new ones, especially within the South Church community. Michael was an avid stamp collector, a lover of nature, a writer and poet, a teacher, a builder and a "doer." He loved to travel and loved, most of all, spending time with his family -- 7 children and 15 grandchildren as well as his extended family members. He was kind and generous and loving to all. He leaves behind his wife, Alice O'Traynor, his children Kathleen Lines and Aidan O'Traynor of NH, Beth Little of NJ, Sean Trainor of Japan, Tom Keane of CA, Brennan Trainor and Colleen Blackmore of Canada and 15 grandchildren: Quinn, Mackenzie and Brady Malcolm; Kiera, Connor, Ryan and Bryn Little; Taiki Trainor; Arlo Keane; Lindsay, Leah and Tori Trainor, Cullen O'Traynor; and Owen and Logan Blackmore. He also leaves his father Richmond Trainor of Littleton, NH and his two sisters Carol Houghton of Littleton, NH and Kate McCosham of Glendale, AZ along with many nieces and nephews. And he leaves a rich legacy of memories to all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at the South Church of Portsmouth, NH on Saturday, February 11th at 10:00 am with a reception to follow.