Milford J. Trojan

May 29, 2008

MILFORD J. TROJAN New York Mills Milford J. Trojan, 95, of New York Mills, died on Thursday May 29, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. He was born in Utica on November 15, 1912, to John and Louise Modliszewski Trojan. He attended Holy Trinity School, Assumption Academy, Utica Free Academy, and Utica College. On May 20, 1946, he married Mildred Kantor in Saint Marys Church in New York Mills. They shared a loving union for over 62 years. He was a member of Holy Trinity Church, where he served as Lector, Trustee, President of the Ushers Club, member of the Parish Council, and Secretary of Holy Trinity Cemetery. Milford retired from Utica Knitting Company, where he was foreman for 25 years. In 1955, he and his wife Mildred were appointed as House Parents of the Abbott-McGinty Detention Home. In 1965, he was appointed clerk of the Utica Traffic Court. In 1967, he was appointed Chief Clerk of the Criminal Court of the City of Utica, from which position he retired in 1977. Milford was an honorary life member and squire of William E. Burke Council #189 of the Knights of Columbus, and of its Fourth Degree. He was past member of its Third Degree, serving as its Warden and Trustee. Milford received a plaque in honor of his membership of 75 years in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member and director of the Polish Community Club, Kopernik Memorial Association, and a charter member and director of the West Side Seniors. He was also a member of the Catholic Golden Age, New York State Civil Service Retirees, Polish National Alliance, and the Knights of Columbus Golf League Hole-in-One Group. In his younger days, Milford was a member of many local baseball, basketball, and other sports teams, such as the Polish Falcons, and others sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Utica Knitting Company. A bowler since 1934, Milford was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Knights of Columbus Bowling Association in 1981, and into the Utica Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1987. He was named National Secretary of the Knights of Columbus National Bowling Association in 1981. In that capacity, he supervised the operation of the Knights of Columbus Annual Bowling Tournaments for many years. One of these tournaments attracted nearly 1,400 teams and 10,000 visitors to Utica. Surviving are his beloved wife, Mildred; his nieces, Lois Trojan Porter (Edward) of Syracuse, Rita Shaheen (Paul) of Kerhonkson, Janice Langdon (John) of Manlius, Leslie Holmberg (Charles) of Liverpool, Michele Shields (Robert) of Niskayuna, Carolyn DiScenna (Pascal) of Broadview Heights, OH, and Mary Weins (Michael) of Herndon, VA; his nephews, John Trojan of Whitesboro, Frederick Trojan (Doris) of Whitesboro, John Dlugolecki (Vicki) of Burbank, CA, Leon Kantor (Joyce) of Orchard Park, Gregory Dziwis of Utica, Paul Dziwis (Diane) of Pittsford, Hugh Phillips (Betty) of Acworth, GA, Gregory Phillips(Susan) of Marietta, GA, Mark Kantor (Traci) of Auburn, AL, and Stephen Kantor of Windermere, FL; his brothers-in-law, Monsignor Adolph Kantor of New York Mills and Frank Kantor (Mary) of Huntsville, AL; his sisters-in-law, Jane Kurkowski of Yorkville, Felicia Dziwis of Utica, and Doris Kantor of Utica and several grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces, and great-grand-nephews. Milford was predeceased by his two brothers, Archie and Leo, and his two sisters, Wanda Bolanowski and Stella Dlugolecki. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Kowalczyk Funeral Home, 1156 Lincoln Avenue, Utica and at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by his brother-in-law Msgr. Adolph Kantor. Relatives and friends may call on Sunday from 4 until 7 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will hold a prayer service at the funeral home at 7 pm. Entombment will take place in the Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum of Holy Trinity Cemetery. Milfords family would like to express their sincere thanks to Dr. William Ryan and his staff and to Caregivers for their compassionate and wonderful care. In Milfords memory contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Memorial Fund, 1206 Lincoln Avenue, Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Light a candle at www. Kowalczykfuneralhomes.com