SALEM — Joseph L. Travers, 93, husband of the late Jeannette (Durant) Travers of Salem, formerly of Gloucester, died on Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 2008 at the Jewish Rehabilitation Center in Swampscott.
Mr. Travers was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1915, son of the late Joseph L. and Adeline (Bent) Travers and immigrated to the United States at a young age. He spent his early years in Gloucester, residing later in Cambridge and Natick.
A fisherman by trade, Mr. Travers was for many years manager of the Seafood Department at Purity Supreme Supermarket in Brookline. He retired in the early 1980's.
Joe Travers spent many happy years as the husband of the former Jeanne Durant of Maine. During a long illness prior to her death, Joe cared lovingly for his Jeanne.
Following her death in 1990, Joe moved to Salem, where he was a guest for the next 15 years at the home of his late nephew Herbert Durant's widow, Mary Durant Iverson, on Gallows Hill Road. Mary's husband Howard and her children, Bill, Frank and Ellen, enjoyed Joe's companionship and good humor over the years.
"Uncle Joe," as his family, friends and neighbors, called him, was a familiar figure in his Salem neighborhood. For many years, he drove back and forth to Cape Ann nearly every day, visiting his beloved Gloucester.
In June of 2005, Mr. Travers suffered a bad fall during his daily visit to a Salem coffee shop. He entered the Jewish Rehabilitation Center in Swampscott and remained a resident there until his death. "Uncle Joe" was a popular member of the Jewish Rehab family, regaling his many friends with colorful stories of his life.
He is survived by his brother, Gilbert Travers of Rockport and Florida; his sister, Theresa Hadley of Gloucester, and several nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. A visiting hour will precede the Mass on Wednesday in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St., Gloucester from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. The burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Jewish Rehabilitation Center, 330 Paradise Road, Swampscott, MA 01907 or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Boston, 295 Devonshire St., 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02110.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
December 8, 2008
Michael Travers
Uncle Joe,
I will always remember your visits to Grampy's in Rockport. The house always filled with laughter and warmth with your presence. You will be missed.
December 8, 2008
joanne travers
December 8, 2008
donald travers
December 8, 2008
Caroline Thompson
Uncle Joe i will never forget all the times we had breakfast together at the Capt's lodge.may you rest in peace. Love your great niece Caroline and great great nephew Nicholas xoxo
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