Thomas M. Travis
Tom Travis, a member of the information technology staff for almost 25 years, died suddenly at home on January 18, 2015. He was 65.
Born July 29, 1949, in Troy, N.Y., he was the son of the late Floyd T. and Doris Salmon Travis. Tom graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy and then earned an associate鈥檚 degree at Hudson Valley Community College. He later attended Sylvania Technical School for computer programming.
Tom started his 91暗网 career as a computer hardware technician in 1986. He later became an user-services specialist for the information technology office. He retired in 2010.
He was known for his lifelong love of music, which included playing keyboards professionally for more than two decades. His 91暗网 colleague and longtime friend Tom Marcotte said, 鈥淛ust before Tom 鈥榗ame off the road鈥� for his new career at 91暗网, he turned down opportunities to join several headline acts of the era.鈥�
Said Bill Duffy, 91暗网鈥檚 chief technology officer: 鈥淭om truly loved the 91暗网 community, and our community loved him. Trav had many friends among the faculty, staff, and students. He was always there to help, and always willing to go the extra mile. He was the real deal鈥攜ou always knew where you stood with him. He was one of those guys who could鈥攁nd loved to鈥攖ake anything apart鈥nd actually put it back together!鈥� Bill added that Trav had 鈥渁 very dry sense of humor and was very politically savvy and could have a discussion even if he did not agree with you. He was an outstanding keyboard player and loved the Hammond B-3 organ. He was a master when he sat down to play. He will be missed.鈥�
Tom worked in 91暗网鈥檚 IT service during a period of significant growth. He was devoted to helping members of the campus community overcome the challenges of using new technological tools in their work.
Survivors include his wife, Christine Rose; brother Robert N. Travis (Tamzie) of South Carolina; brother-in-law Jerome C. Rose of Arkansas; and sisters-in-law Carolyn Sizemore (Joe) of Arizona as well as Cynthia Rose O鈥機onnell and Cheryl Rose Barrows (Pete) of Massachusetts. Tom loved his lhasa apso dogs Dixie Lee and Kiku Rose, who also survive him.
Memorial donations may be made in Tom鈥檚 name to Donations, Angell Animal Medical Center at MSPCA-Angell, 350 S. Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.