Bradford Gainer, 31, mine motorman, attempted to rescue Charles W. Hart and 10 others from suffocation, Pursglove, West Virginia, January 8, 1943. (See case of GUY E. QUINN.) Gainer was one of the motormen Quinn first instructed to notify other men of the fire. He led some men to the place of safety where Quinn later went, and he responded to the call for volunteers. Gainer suffered from the effects of smoke and gas for two days. 39810-3309
39810 – 3309
39810-3309Obituary
My father, Bradford Gainer, of Canton, Ohio, was called back to Heaven on Sept. 25, 1967. God looked down and saw he was weary. My father came from a big family, and as was common in those days he went to work at the young age of 15, outside the mine, to help support his family.
At the age of 18, he took his place beside his father in the mine working the hottest summers and coldest winters. When he was 31, he was involved in a mining accident in which he attempted to rescue 11 men from suffocation. He was declared a hero and awarded the Carnegie Medal, which is only given to heroes who lay down their lives for their brothers.
After the mining business slowed down, my father and his beloved wife, Margaret, and their four children moved to Ohio, where my father worked at Winters Foundry. After he passed away, his dear wife missed him so much that our gracious God took her home to be reunited with him on Sept. 25, 1971. As I write these words, it saddens me to think my children will never know my hero. But I know he will live forever in my memories and the memories of my children as I tell them the story of our hero, our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We love you dear Dad. Rest in peace.
(Edited from a statement written by Rose M. Sickafoose, daughter, July 2008.)