Robert J. Travers, 79
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Robert J. Travers, age 79, a lifelong resident of Mansfield, passed away peacefully, in the comfort of his home, on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
He was the beloved husband of the late Estella V. (Savini) Travers to whom he was wed for over 50 years at the time of her death on April 13, 2009.
Born in North Attleboro, MA on March 15, 1936, he was a loving son of the late John S. and Florida M. (Dion) Travers. He had homemade coffee ice cream his first day of life, it remaining his lifelong favorite
He grew up in Mansfield and attended Mansfield Schools, leaving as a freshman because ‘he was smarter than everyone else’
Bob began operating heavy equipment at age 10 and managed his father’s gravel pit at age 16. He met his future wife Estella, who he loving called “Ezzie “while working in her father’s construction firm
Mr. Travers was a member of the International Union Operating Engineers – Local 4 and worked for several Union companies, including on Boston’s Big Dig, which would have been less of a mess if Bob had been making the decisions and also at Salah & Pecci in Canton.
Bob was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Mansfield. He and his late wife Estella were Members of the Herring Runners Camping Club when their family was young and later seasoned at Bourne Scenic Park for 22 years
He made long lasting friendships from many years of work and camping. He enjoyed socializing with ‘The Old Guys,’ since Bob teased he was one of the youngest in the group at Honey Dew Donuts in Mansfield
Bob also attended classic car shows and parades with his ’65 Ford Galaxie, which won him a Ladies’ Choice trophy. He also loved hanging out with the guys at “The Garage” which houses Brunelle Contracting Co. in Mansfield.
He is survived by his devoted children Kathleen Reynolds of Mansfield, Kerri Hardiman and her husband Jack of Bridgewater Robert Travers of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Kelley Travers of Mansfield and the late Mark Travers. He was the cherished grandfather of Taarin Haggard and her husband Rocky, who will soon reside at the family ‘homestead’ in Mansfield, Zachariah and Colton Travers of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Faith, Maeve, and Kay Reynolds of Mansfield and Rena Travers, Mansfield and great grandfather of Jaclyn Haggard. He was the dear brother of
William Travers and his wife Barbara of North Attleboro Doris Hancock of Rehoboth; Ronald Travers and his wife Louise of Mansfield, Donald Travers of Mansfield Christine Renzi of Mansfield, Suzanne Earls and her companion Jay Rotherham of Attleboro, Carol Anagnos and her husband Ernie of Attleboro, Linda Gartman and her husband Nelvyn, of Mansfield and the late Judith Moreshead, wife of Norman and the late Diane Brunelle , wife of Robert. He is also survived by his companion Helen Eastman and her family of Mansfield, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
His funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Saturday, April 18th at 9:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St. (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Mansfield.
Visiting hours are omitted and in lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
To send the Travers family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com