Obituary of Harrison Odell Travis

Harrison Odell Travis, Jr., a former longtime resident of Canada Lake, New York, died on June 26, 2007 at the Extended Care Facility at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, New York at the age of 89. He was predeceased in 2006 by his loving wife of 61 years, Alberta Lobdell Travis. They were predeceased by their daughter, Liz Travis Emma, of Scotia, New York, who passed away in 2004. Mr. Travis is survived by five children and their spouses: Barbara and Thomas Pace of Brooklyn; Ann and Richard Aulisi of Caroga Lake; Nancy and Ronald Olinsky of Gloversville; Harrison and Leasa Travis of Carrollton, Texas; Win and Mike DelPizzo of Orange Park, Florida; and Michael Emma of Scotia, widower of Harrison's daughter, Liz. He also leaves seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mr. Travis had a B.S. degree in Engineering from the New York State Merchant Marine Academy, a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from Cooper Union, and an M. S. Degree in Ocean Engineering from C.W. Post College. He was licensed as a Professional Engineer and as a Chief Engineer Unlimited by the U.S. Coast Guard. He joined the faculty of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1943 after serving on active duty with the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. He served as Professor of Engineering for over 30 years, as well as several years as Commandant of Cadets and Academy Training Representative in New Orleans. In 1975 he was appointed the Director of the National Maritime Research Center at Kings Point. For several years after his retirement from the Academy, he was a consultant to several companies in the maritime field including MARAD, CAORF, Eclechtech, Simship and Norcontrol. He fully retired in 1998. Among his numerous volunteer activities were vestry service at All Saints Episcopal Church, Bayside, New York; President of the School Board of the North Shore School District in Glen Head, New York; service on the Assessment Review Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Caroga. Contributions in the memory of Harrison Odell Travis, Jr. may be made to the Gloversville Extended Care Facility or to the Nathan Littauer Hospital Foundation. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Funeral services are under the care of the Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, New York. Please visit the family?s online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.