Gilbert E. Travers, 86, of New Bedford died at Sunrise Assisted Living of Dartmouth after a long illness.
He was the wife of the late Alyce M. (Banks) Travers.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Zygiel) Travers, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Mr. Travers was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
He was formerly employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in New Bedford for many years until retirement.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a cryptographer participating in the Battles of Normandy and Northern France. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign ribbon, the American Theater Campaign ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Travers enjoyed trips to Foxwoods and the dog track.
His family would like to extend their thanks to Sunrise Assisted Living and Beacon Hospice.
Survivors include his son, Michael Travers, and his wife Debra, of New Bedford; 3 daughters, Christine Walecka, and her husband Joseph, Robin Bouchard and Nancy Bouchard, and her husband Normand, all of New Bedford; a brother, George Travers, and his wife Mary, of Holliston, MA; a sister-in-law, Antoinette Banks of New Bedford; 6 grandchildren, Ashley Walecka, Jennifer Bouchard, Craig Bouchard, Lauren Bouchard, Sarah Walecka and Brittany Travers, all of New Bedford; many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Joseph Travers and Dorothy Wilde.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford Wednesday, February 20th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, February 19th from 4-8 PM.