Leon J. Traney

Leon J. Traney of Langhorne died on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at St. Mary Medical Center. He was 88. Born in Plainfield, NJ, Mr. Traney was a long time resident of Lower Bucks County having moved to the area in the early 1950s. He was a proud veteran of World War II having enlisted in the U.S. Navy V-12 program in 1943. Designed to produce supplemental commissioned officers, Mr. Traney was training for deployment as a Corsair fighter pilot at war's end. As part of his Naval training, Mr. Traney attended St. Mary's College in San Francisco. Playing football for one the "service" teams of the time, he was spotted by Frank Leahy, the University of Notre Dame's head coach, and offered a full scholarship if he would come to South Bend following the war.Honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945, Mr. Traney took advantage of Leahy's invitation and headed to Indiana. Mr. Traney graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and spent over 40 extraordinary years specializing in HVAC research, development and design in the medical and consumer goods industries. Mr. Traney also earned his varsity letter as a gridder during a time when the "Fighting Irish" where one of college football's dominant teams as they won national championships in 1946, 1947 and 1949. He is listed as a Notre Dame player in the college football Hall of Fame and was also a continuing member of the University's Alumni Club. A physical fitness and sports enthusiast, he was active with local youth programs such as the Penndel Wildcats and also served as a President of Neshaminy High School's "N" Club which remains to this day as the football team's booster club. And true to his schools, Mr. Traney was a fan of both the Notre Dame and Neshaminy football programs throughout his life. Husband of the late Bernardine (Faneuf) Traney, Mr. Traney is survived by his wife of 27 years, Patricia Carter-Traney. He was the loving father of Kristine T. Hickey (Paul) of Auburn, NY; Bruce Traney of Los Angeles, CA; and, Georgianna Traney of Langhorne. He was the devoted grandfather of Colleen Sanders and Jessica Mazur and the great grandfather of Joshua and Julia Mazur. He will also be sadly missed by his stepchildren Roy, Rob and Cynthia Carter, and their children, as well as several nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to call on Monday from 1 until 3 p.m. at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Road, Suite 150, Blue Bell, PA 19422.