He finished his course, he fought the good fight, he kept the faith.

On Sunday December 6th 2020, Fr. Gerard Paul Travers of Holy Family Church, New Rochelle, New York passed away peacefully. He was 82 years old. Born in Mount Vernon, New York to Gerard and Gladys Travers, Gerard was one of four children. Gerard attended Sacred Heart Grammar School in Mount Vernon and Cathedral Prep in Manhattan. He would eventually enter St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers and be ordained a diocesan priest in 1965. Fr. Travers furthered his education and would later receive a Master’s Degree from St John’s University in pastoral counseling.

Fr. Travers began his vocation as an associate pastor at St. Clement & St. Michael’s parish in Staten Island. He then would move to St, Catherine’s Church in Blauvelt, NY before becoming pastor at St. Lawrence O’Toole parish in Brewster. He would then move to St, Patrick’s in Highland Mills, where he served as pastor for twenty years and retired as pastor emeritus.

Fr. Travers was an athlete in his day. He skied past his 80th birthday, played golf, enjoyed walking and swimming at the beach. You could also have seen Fr. Travers doing a New York Time’s crossword puzzle or indulging in a good book. But most of all Fr. Travers loved being a servant of God, a teacher, counselor and a friend of many. He had a great interest in people, was extremely generous, non judgmental and a man of few words.

Fr. Travers is survived by his brother John (Betty), his sister Gladys (Jeff) O’ Rourke, His three nieces Eileen (James) Gregware, Denise (Matt) McGillen and Tara (Steve) Demoratz. He is also survived by his Uncle Charles Butterfield. He will be missed by his two great-nephews and three great-nieces. Fr. Travers will be deeply missed by the clergy and staff and parishioners at Holy Family Church. He is predeceased by his sister Joyce Beckman.

Fr. Travers will be reposing at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue in Pelham New York on Sunday December 13th from 3:00 – 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Holy Family Church located at 83 Clove Road in New Rochelle New York, on Monday December 14th at 10:30am. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Church. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com.

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.