Joseph P. Travers

Joseph P. Travers, 95, of Chestnut Hill, PA, passed away on Sat., April 9, 2016 at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadephia, PA.

Born Feb. 25, 1921 in Manhattan, NY, he was the son of the late John C. and Margaret (Lennon) Travers. He and his wife, Dr. Eleanor May Travers, were married in New York City on August 25, 1979.

Joseph worked for most of his career with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He began as a Budget and Fiscal Supervisor and Area Medical Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, Boston, MA. He was then promoted to Medical Administration Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, Boston, MA. Joseph then became the Senior Hospital Specialist / Regional Medical Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Northern Region. Following that position, Joseph was appointed Deputy Director, Resource Management, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC. After two years, he was promoted to Director of Resource Management, CFO, of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC.

In 1986, Joseph went on to become the Hospital Director / Medical District Director for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, D.C.. He then became the Associate Executive Director, Medical and Research Affairs for the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Washington, D.C.. Joseph's final position was as President and CEO of Medecon, Inc., Chestnut Hill, where he worked until his retirement in 2008.

Joseph held many board and council appointments. He was a member of the Board of Directors and the Membership Committee for The National Health Council, New York, NY, Corporate Board Member, University Hospital, Boston, MA, member of the District of Columbia Health Council, member of the Massachusetts State Health Planning Council, member of the State of Rhode Island, Statewide Health Coordinating Council and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Administration, member of the Executive Committee of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, Chairman of the United Way Public Sector, United Way of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, and Chairman of the Federal Executive Board, State of Rhode Island.

Joseph received the Exceptional Service Award given by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs in 1989. He was also the recipient of a Proclamation by the Governor, State of Rhode Island, declaring Joseph P. Travers Day, for Exceptional Service to Veterans, 1980.

Joseph was a member of Our Mother of Consolation Roman Catholic Church, Chestnut Hill, PA. He was a graduate of All Hallows High School, New York City, NY and Fordham University, where he received his Bachelor's from the School of Business. He was a United States Army Mustang Officer. A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in May, 1942 and received a battlefield commission, rising to the rank of Major.

In addition his wife Eleanor May Travers, MD, of Philadelphia, Joseph is survived by his Wife's Son, James Lewis Griffith Jr., Philadelphia, his Wife's Daughter, Mary Hall, Milton, GA, his Wife's Daughter, Anne Liebeskind, West Grove, PA; his Natural Children, Margaret Unger, Longs, SC, Jeanne Fox, Churchton, MD, Claire Fessler, Sterling, VA, and Mary Merkin, Dumfries, VA.

Joseph is also survived by his Grandchildren, Bridget, Evan, Megan, Allison, John, Andrew, Katherine, Matthew, Thomas, Cody, Paul, Elizabeth, Katherine, Michael, Matthew, Harry, Sara, and Great-Grandchildren Dennis and Derek. He is also survived by his Nephews, Christopher Blossom, David Blossom and Peter Blossom and his Great-Nephews Travers and Ian.

Joseph was preceded in death by his Parents, John Clarence Travers and Margaret Lennon Travers and his Sisters, Anne Schatz and Frances Blossom.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Joseph on Wed., April 20, 2016 at 9 am at Our Mother of Consolation RC Church, 17 E. Chestnut Hill, Ave, Chestnut Hill, PA. Entombment in the Travers Mausoleum will follow in Mystic, Connecticut.

Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, Fleetwood, is honored to be entrusted with caring for Joseph and his family. Online condolences may be offered to his family at WalbertFuneralHome.com.