Obituary of Ray Chesley Travers

Ray C. Travers

1938-2025

Ray Chesley Travers of Douglas, N.B., beloved husband of Helen (nee Taweel), died peacefully Dec. 24, 2025, at Hospice in Fredericton.  He was 87.

Born Feb. 18, 1938, Ray was the only child of Ray B. and Hilda (Armstrong) Travers of New River Beach, N.B.  In addition to his wife of 63 years, Ray is survived by his children Sandra (Charles) Howland of Mactaquac, N.B., Leslie Travers of Grand Bay, N.B., and Ray P. (Carol) Travers of Royal Road, N.B.; and four grandchildren David (Laura Donelan) and Julia (Andrew Atkinson) Howland, and Manny (Logan Hughes) and Charlotte Travers. 

Ray studied architectural drafting at NBCC in Moncton after graduating from Eastern Charlotte Regional High School in Saint George, N.B.  His first job was with the Department of Lands and Mines in Fredericton.  In 1961, he joined the NB Electric Power Commission (now NB Power) as an electrical draughtsman and worked there, first in head office and then in Marysville, until his retirement in 1993.  For 20 of those years he worked as a substation design draughtsman.

An avid outdoorsman, Ray served on the executive of the NB Wildlife Federation.  He loved fishing salmon on Crown Reserve waters on the North Pole Stream and tied hundreds of salmon flies.  While he regularly hunted deer and moose, he said his expedition to Labrador to hunt caribou was “a trip to remember.”

Ray was always active and, with Helen, he danced, curled, bowled, played tennis, golfed and swam with the Silver Dolphins.  He also enjoyed playing bridge and travelling, and was a voracious reader.

A lifelong member of the Anglican Church, Ray was a free and accepted mason and served as master of Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 6.  He was also a Shriner.  In his twenties, Ray served as a lieutenant in the 90th Battery 12th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery Militia.  

We offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Ray's doctors, the Extra-Mural Team and the staff at Hospice Fredericton for their care and compassion.

Visitation will take place on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, from 2 to 4 p.m.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at All Saints Anglican Church, 150 Crock's Point Road, Keswick Ridge, at 2 p.m.  The Rev'd Canon Rod Black will officiate.  Interment will follow. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Corporation of the Anglican Parish of Bright (All Saints Cemetery) or charity of donor’s choice.  Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com