BUXTON - Commander Henry Bradley “Brad” Traver II, age 83, passed
away unexpectedly after a brief illness on December 22, 2024 at Maine
Medical Center surrounded by family. He was born April 19, 1941, to
parents Dorothy (Moss) and Henry Traver and was raised in Waterbury,
CT.
Following his graduation from Sacred Heart High School, Brad continued
his education at the United States Coast Guard Academy. While there, he
met his loving wife of 63 years, Maggie, on a blind date before graduating
in the class of 1962. Brad served 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and
earned an additional bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne while stationed there in
1968. The Coast Guard delighted him with service time in Greenland,
Alaska and New England, but punished him with a stint in Washington
DC. One of his last assignments was in South Portland in 1978, and he
made Maine his permanent home when he retired in 1983. During his
service, Brad and Maggie had 4 children, with each one born in a
different state.
He began his post-military career as a general contractor with his
brother-in-law, Al Lawrence. The Homefixers, as they were known,
earned a loyal customer base by treating people fairly and honestly in
their work. His connections and business dealings led him to a short
career in politics as he served on the Buxton Town Planning Board for
several years in the 1980’s. An avid hunter and sport shooter, he
developed a side business buying and selling firearms to fellow
enthusiasts. His personality was larger than life, and he made an
impression on anyone he met!
Outside of work, Brad enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting,
fishing, going on cruises with Maggie in retirement, raising animals,
craftsmanship, hosting lobster bakes, collecting things, arguing about
any topic you cared to raise, gardening, antique cars, having his kids
move the wood pile annually and much more!
In his younger days, he enjoyed baseball and slow-pitch softball and
developed a nearly unhittable knuckleball. He proudly struck out Otto
Graham, the famed Cleveland Browns quarterback, on three straight
pitches.
He was a lifetime member of the NRA, and belonged to the Scarborough
Fish and Game Association.
Brad is predeceased by his wife- Maggie (Lawrence) Traver, his parents
Henry Traver and Dorothy Sullivan, his stepfather John Sullivan and
three siblings: James Traver, Kevin Sullivan and Denise Sullivan.
He is survived and loved by his children- Patricia “Patti” Foster and her
husband Dan of Standish, ME; Henry “Hank” Traver III and his wife Donna
of Waterboro, ME; Michael Traver and his wife Julle of Brighton, MI; and
Katherine “Kate” Riker and her husband Tom of Steep Falls, ME; siblings
Roger Sullivan, and Karin Lesser; 8 grandchildren- Helen, Claire, Charlotte,
Madelyn, Natalie, Zachary, Myah and Nicholas; three great-grandchildren - Jamus, Carson and Aselin; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13, 2024 from 4-5 PM at the
Chad E. Poitras Cremation & Funeral Service Funeral Home, 498 Long
Plains Rd. Buxton, ME 04093. A short service will follow the visitation.
Burial will be at The Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale in
the Spring.
Online condolences can be made at www.mainefuneral.com In lieu of
flowers, please consider donating to the Buxton Toy Box or the
Scarborough Fish and Game Association, 21 Fish & Game Lane,
Scarborough, ME 04074.
.