Portville Hall of Fame
Robert Dean Travis was born August 9, 1935, in Hinsdale, New York, to
Arthur and Isabelle Enders Travis. Dean had a huge impact on Portville’s
residents for many decades.
After moving to Portville, Dean became involved in many sports and
activities at PCS, including cross country, track and field, basketball,
band, the 4-H Club, and the Future Farmers of America.
At the age of 13, Dean began working at the Buckles and Carr Grocery
Store downtown. He also worked at the Acme Grocery Store in Olean
and Scott’s Market in Portville.
Dean was a graduate of Portville in the Class of 1955. After high school,
he was a member of the National Guard for seven years. He married his
wife, Carol, in January of 1957 and had three children together: Debbie
Travis Kinecki who lives in North Tonawanda, Mark Travis, a 1979 grad
who lives in town, and Chris Travis (1984), who acquired the business of
Kayes Truck, now Portville Truck.
Dean also has a step-daughter, Shelly Hellier, from his marriage to Eva
Holtz in September of 1989. His wife Carol passed some years ago.
In 1962, at the age of 27, he bought Scott’s Market and opened the
famous Dean’s Market, which he operated until 1977. The business was a
big success that people still talk about today. From there, Dean moved on
to work at Olean Wholesale, retiring in 1998.
During the late 1960s, Dean helped create the Portville Pee Wee Football
program. 90 kids joined the first year, and four teams were created,
including squads supported by the Fire Department, the Portville Men’s
Club, Fibercel, and Dean’s Market, which served as the headquarters.
Dean’s unique coaching and teaching ability had a large impact on many
football players, and his teams dominated their opponents year after year.
Mr. Travis was instrumental in the formation of the Portville Little League
Baseball program during the 1970s as well. He was also a Cub Scout
Master for many years, leading the organization with his childhood friend
and fellow Portville Hall of Famer, Paul Wilson.
Over the years, Dean has been an active member of the Portville Men’s
Club, the Portville Fire Department, the Firemen’s Club, the Jaycees, the
Senior Euchre Card Club, 4-H, and has attended the Presbyterian Church
on Main Street for many years.
Recently, Dean’s family hosted an AFS student from Norway, who has
since made two return trips to the town of Portville.
Besides his family, Dean is most proud of the work that he and others did
with the youth sports teams in those early years, amazed at the success of
the football program especially.
One of his best working experiences was going on wrecker calls with his
son Chris, when he started the highly successful Portville Truck business
last century.
From his PCS days to his work to his children and to his dedication to the
Portville youth, Dean has proven to be a legend in the town.
(As presented by Gary Swetland for Hall of Fame at the Alumni Banquet, 2016)
| The Portville Historical and Preservation Society |
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| 17 Maple Avenue Portville, NY 14770 www.portvillehistory.org |
Portville, New York
| Dean Travis PCS Hall of Fame ~ Class of 2016 |
