Kevin Michael Travis

Kevin Michael Travis, 85, husband of the late Linda Lee Travis, of Homosassa, Florida, died peacefully on March 4th at Shaker Place Rehab and Nursing Center, Albany, NY, surrounded by his family. 

Born June 16th, 1939 in Fall River, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late James F. and Vitus C. Travis. He shared his birthday with his mom, what a gift he was, as their first child! 

Kevin was raised in Swansea, Massachusetts and was president of his senior class, class of 1957, Joseph Case High School. He played basketball, was part of the state basketball championship win in 1957 and was a pitcher on the baseball team. Following graduation, Kevin entered the United States Air Force and proudly served his country from September of 1957 until his honorable discharge in September 1960. Service locations included Korea and Alaska. While in service, he earned a top secret crypto clearance. 

Following the service, Kevin earned an undergraduate degree with honors at Bradford Durfee College of Technology (U-Mass Dartmouth) in Fall River Massachusetts. 

He spent the summers of 1962-64 working on detail at the Kennedy Summer Compound, in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. His crypto security clearance helped to earn him this job. He was hired by the Barnstable Police Department and worked in conjunction with the secret service. Kevin loved telling stories about his summers there. During that time, He regularly interacted with JFK’s young children and nieces and nephews, in fact, they nicknamed him “Kevin the cop”. The kids would play jokes on him and would often tease him. JFK gave him one of his PT boat pins and an autographed picture of him and Kevin that Kevin proudly displayed in his house. 

Following this, he earned a Master of Public Administration at the University of Rhode Island, class of 1966. That degree qualified him for entry in the Executive Management Trainee Program in NYS, which is how he ended up in Albany, NY. From that time until 1994, he progressed his career in various more responsible positions there. He spent his first 17 years in the Department of Mental Hygiene. He then moved on to the Department of Corrections. His final title was Associate Commissioner of NYS Correctional Services, where he was responsible for the planning and development of the new facility expansion program. In his 12 years with Corrections, he was formative in expanding the bed capacity by 36 new facilities, containing approximately 36,000 beds. In that position, he was the Corrections liaison for the communities in which they were looking to build prisons. He traveled throughout the state and dealt directly with local government officials and business interests. He retired in 1994 at the age of 55 and never looked back! 

He was a member of Pinehaven Country Club, Guilderland Elks Lodge, No. 2480, and was a communicant of St. Madeleine Sophie Church. He enjoyed helping to coach his children’s recreation sports teams when they were younger and loved watching hockey, football, baseball, basketball and boxing. He loved spending summer time with his family at their camp at Paradox Lake. Florida and Vermont ski vacations were cherished memories with his family. Kevin loved to tell stories and jokes and wasn’t afraid to be firm about his position in regard to politics. 

He began retirement as a snow bird, dividing his time with Linda between Paradox Lake and River haven Village, in Homosassa, Florida. It didn’t take long though before he and Linda became year round Florida residents. He was lucky enough to enjoy 30 beautiful, fun, happy and healthy years in Florida. He had countless good friends and neighbors. He was an active member of the River haven Village Community Center and the Seven Rivers Country Club in Crystal River as well as a member of the Loyal Order of Moose 2013 in Homosassa. 

It was an unfortunate serious fall in late December that led to a two month health decline that included his return to Albany in mid -January to be close to his family. 

He is survived by his loving children, Geoffrey Travis (Kathy Girard), of Hague, NY, Jennifer Travis (Joseph DeConno) of Colonie, NY , his former spouse and mother of his children, Mary Martinelli, Linda’s children from a previous marriage, William, Lisa and Jay, twin granddaughters, Alyssa Travis (Cody Struffolino) and Mackenzie Travis (Austin Coyne), and six step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Philip Travis (Judy), of New Bedford, MA, and seven nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by two brothers, James Travis (twin of Philip) and Michael Travis. 

Kevin wished to be cremated. His celebration of life/calling hours will be held Sunday, March 9th, from 2-4 pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY. A service will be held immediately following at 4 pm and at 5 pm, we will be concluding the services with a “Toast to Dad”, since he loved his 5pm SHARP cocktail(s), almost every day, for as long as can be remembered. 

Private interment with full military honors will take place at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, at a later date. 

The family would like to extend their sincere and most heartfelt appreciation to the following Shaker Place angels: Dr. Patrick Caulfield, who is truly a gift and a blessing to Shaker Place. We appreciate your dedication, concern and selfless service to not only our dad, but to the frail and vulnerable population that you serve that are so deserving of the highest quality of care, but are so often overlooked. To another medical provider, NP Ashley, who was attentive and patient and so concerned about our dad’s comfort and peace. We must recognize Lisa Cornell, the Ann Lee Nursing Supervisor. Lisa’s compassion toward our dad and us, her loving care, concern, empathy, expertise and hard work were simply amazing. Finally, to the numerous other staff at Shaker Place both on the Ann Lee unit and throughout the building (you know who you are), who are too numerous to mention individually: you are all very incredibly special people who we are so blessed and thankful that you took part in the care of our beloved dad.