Joseph D. Travalini
Family & friends are respectfully invited to attend a Graveside Service on Wednesday, March 30th at 1:30 p.m., at Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm St., Everett, for Joseph D. Travalini, who died on Thursday, March 24th at the Brigham & Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Boston, following a long illness from Parkinson’s Disease, he was 79 years old. Please arrive at the Cemetery at 1:15 pm.
Joe was a native of Everett. He was raised & educated there and was an alumnus of Everett High School, Class of 1960. He pursued to follow his passion and earned a bachelor’s degree in education, at Salem State University. Joe later, went to earn an MBA in education at Arizona State University, where he began his teaching career. Joe had to leave his teaching position due to being drafted in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. He proudly served his country and was honorably discharged. Joe returned home, in 1970. He took a position at the Waltham Public School Department, as an English Teacher. Joe would spend the next 35 years as a High School English Teacher. He took great pride educating young students to help them learn about the English Language, American Classics, Literature and getting the most out of his students by making learning it fun to learn. He lived a very humble and quiet life, in Boston. He was always reading and loved to continue to learn about new things. In Joe’s younger days, he belonged to a Band called “The Shore Tune’s”. He played the accordion; piano & he also sang. It was well known throughout Joe’s family, that what ever the holiday or celebration, Joe was going to perform. He loved doing it and so did all his friends and family.
Joe is the devoted son of the late Alfred J. Travalini & Josephine (Martucci) Travalini. Dear brother of Robert P. Travalini & his partner Benjamin A. Nunez of Boston & Ogunquit, ME., John J. Travalini & wife Virginia “Ginny” of Orlando, FL & the late Geraldine Oswald. Cherished companion of the late Thomas Threlkeld for over 40 years. He is also lovingly survived by his sister-in-law Kay Travalini of Peabody and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, & grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
Mr. Travalini was my high school senior year English literature teacher (1985). Although saddened to hear of his passing, I am so filled with new pride and appreciation to read of his service to our country, and to the teaching profession, where he had a profound effect on many years’ worth of students. He had a unique ability to made the material engaging, personal, and with good humor. It is true what they say about good teachers: They will remembered forever.
Totally honored and blessed to have worked with my colleagues at WHS and English Department!
Prayers and condolences!
IJoe was a consummate professional, a treasured and respected colleague, and a dignified and admirable human being. His teaching emphasized THINKING and his personal demeanor was a delight.