from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Walter Vincent Adamkosky, 95, died Feb. 11, 2016, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Mr. Adamkosky was born Oct. 27, 1920, in Goshen, N.Y. The little town of Goshen is the home of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, so it was no surprise that he gained employment at the age of 19 with the United States Trotting Association. He retired from the USTA in 1985, his 46-year tenure there interrupted briefly when he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

As a First Lieutenant, he heroically completed 35 perilous missions co-piloting a B-17 bomber, all before his 25th birthday. But with characteristic humility he always resisted any suggestion that he was a hero.

Upon retirement from the USTA, it occurred to him that he was free to attend daily Mass, which he did for years, doing the readings and distributing Holy Communion as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. He always arrived early to make sure everything was in order before Mass began. The late Msgr. Edward Trenor, pastor of Christ the King Church at the time, was heard to say, “I don’t know what we’d do without him.”

He will be remembered by everyone who ever met him for his kindness, integrity, humility and great sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Veronica (Doherty); daughters, Veronica (Jerry) McMenemy and Mary Ellen (Denny) Parker; sons, Walter (Christine) and Michael; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.