Aylmer "Al"R. Trivers

Aylmer (Al) Raynolds Trivers, 76, of Becket, Massachusetts, passed away suddenly on July 7, 2015 in Taborton, NY. He died in the arms of his beloved wife Midge Trivers.
Al Trivers was born in Oberageri, Switzerland on March 5, 1939. He was the first of seven children of Howard Trivers, PhD, a career diplomat and Mildred Raynolds Trivers, an accomplished poet. He graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in 1957. In 1961, he graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelors of Science degree.
He was married in 1962 to Mary Jane (Midge) Copeland in Taborton, NY. Midge was his executive officer for over fifty three years. What a voyage they had together.
Al Trivers had a twenty-one year career in the United States Coast Guard, retiring with the rank of Commander. He loved his time in the Coast Guard and held dear the service's core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty. Semper Paratus
Al served aboard two US Coast Guard cutters; Eastwind (1961-63) and Escanaba (1963-65). He made two tours of Antarctica. He gave up his oily rag and duty flashlight to earn his Masters of Science in 1967 at the US Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH. After his academic life he served in London, England with US Coast Guard Activities Europe (1967-69). This was one of his favorite tours as he and his young family soaked up the European lifestyle. The Trivers family came back to America onboard the SS United States when he was transferred to US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC (1969-73). Al Trivers next role was executive officer at the Electronics Center, Wildwood, NJ (1973-76). Commander Trivers taught electrical engineering and served as department head at the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT (1976-81). He had the privilege of serving as the class advisor for the USCGA Class of 1980, the first class with women cadets. His last post was at the Research & Development Center, Groton, CT (1981-82).
One high point of his military career was that both he and his eldest son Geoffrey Trivers simultaneously served in the US Coast Guard. Geoff would serve in the United States Coast Guard for twenty additional years.
After his military career, Al and Midge moved to Amherst, New Hampshire to become a gentleman and lady farmer. Al continued to serve his country at Sanders Associates, a defense contractor located in Nashua, NH. He worked for seventeen years mostly as a program manager for aircraft electronic countermeasures that jammed radar tracking systems. In 1999 he retired for the second time.
Never one to sit around, Al attacked his retirement with gusto. He enjoyed gardening, running, biking, reading the Boston Globe, walking his dog, and traveling. He completed several marathons including the 100th Boston Marathon. Al also worked part time as a tax preparer. He volunteered at several non-profits including his local church and homeowners association.
Al will be remembered for his zest for life, wit and his can do personality. Befitting of his engineering background he was a teacher, problem solver and fixer. When he entered the room everyone knew. He was someone you wanted to be around. Is it any wonder his high school nickname was "Smiley" and was known to tell people to "have a nice day." He was immensely proud of his family's accomplishments. Whether it was on the playing field, classroom, ship, boardroom or laboratory he was his family's number one supporter. His legacy of hard work and charity will live on through his children and grand children.
Al Trivers is preceded in death by his father and mother, Howard and Mildred Trivers; his sister, Kate Harati; his father and mother-in-law, Dr and Mrs. John Copeland; and his brother-in-laws Arshavir Mekitarian and Dalton Marks.
Al is survived by his loving wife, Midge Trivers. He is also survived by his three children: Geoffrey (Colleen) of Poulsbo, Washington; Christopher (Maureen) of Newtown, Connecticut; and Katrina (Andrew) of Atlanta, Georgia. His children will miss his penchant for plaid shirts, salty language and not so tough love. What a great father and role model they had in their lives. He will be missed by eight grand children (Nathan, Benjamin, Julia, Amelia, Andrea, Cameron, Jack and Lilith) and numerous nieces and nephews.
His siblings who will miss their oldest brothers' love, political debates, effusive personality and sage advice include: brother, Robert; brother, Jon (Karen); sister, Mildred Palmer (David); sister, Ruth Ann Mekitarian, and brother, Howard (Cathy).
He is survived by his sister-in-laws, Louise Marks and Joan (Charlie) Benson. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Souham Harati.
Funeral services will be held at Zion United Church of Christ of Taborton, 747 Taborton Rd, Sand Lake, NY on July 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM with Reverend Bob Loesch of Zion United Church of Christ of Taborton officiating. New Comer Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to US Coast Guard Alumni Association, "USCGA Alumni Association 1961 Class Fund", Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320-8111 or @ http://www.cgaalumni.org. Condolences may be left in Aylmer R Trivers name at the online guestbook at www.newcomeralbany.org