Joseph A. "Drew" Travierso

DRACUT - Joseph A. Travierso, Jr., (Oct. 25, 1946 - Oct. 8, 2016), known to family and friends as "Drew" and to his students and players as "Coach T," passed with strength and dignity in his family's arms at his home after a heroic battle with cancer. The son of Joseph, Sr., and Dorothy Reardon, whom he now joins in heaven, he was a graduate of Keith Academy, Northeastern University, and the University of New England, from which he received a Masters in Education. He served proudly in the United States Air Force as First Lieutenant, and remained passionate in his love of country. He was a lifelong educator, spending over 30 years at Lowell High School. His passions in life were faith, family, friends, and football -- though not necessarily in that order. He was also an avid baseball fan and golfer. His passion for football led him to a career of coaching at Lowell High, Pelham High, where he started the program, Lowell Catholic, and for the last ten years at Phillips Academy, where he took great pride in "all the good kids. They are all such good kids." His co-teachers and coaching staffs were among his best friends. He was a lifelong communicant at St. Michael's Church in Lowell, where he served as sacristan and Eucharistic minister. He engaged in a true community of the faithful and found great strength, companionship, and, dare he say it, fun.

He was an active volunteer at St. Vincent DePaul Society until the decline of his health. He is survived by his beloved wife Anne E. (Teague), who was privileged to care for him with true beauty until his last; his sons Timothy J. of Dracut, MA, Stephen A. of New York, NY, James P. of Lowell, MA, and Joshua K. of San Francisco, CA; several cousins, including Kenneth Eldridge of Dracut, MA, and Robert Eldridge of Hudson, NH; he was blessed to call his wife's siblings as the brothers and sisters of his own, and the generations of nieces and nephews were like the grandchildren of his heart. He begets his sweet tooth to his faithful companion and pet Finley. He is remembered as a gentleman, the best dad, the best husband, the best teacher, coach and friend. Oh, and boy, could he dance.