LAURINBURG — James Thomas Travers, 86, passed away in Laurinburg on June 16, 2015 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

James Travers was born on July 26, 1928 to Frank and Mary Travers in Yonkers, New York. He married Mary Noone on June 11, 1960, in New York. They were able to celebrate 55 years of joy, laughter and love.

Jimmy, or the "Chief," as he was affectionately known, was a firefighter in Yonkers, New York and retired as an Assistant Chief after 36 years on the job. He and Mary (Molly) made their home in New York, Connecticut and North Carolina. They were blessed with four children: Michael (Gretchen) Travers of Bakersville, Maureen (Jimmy) Giannini and Anne (and the late Paul Bjork) Travers of Laurinburg and James Travers of Charlotte.

James joined the United States Army in 1949 and proudly fought in the Korean War, where he earned several medals including two bronze stars.

Chief was always ready with an Irish song or a great story and loved meeting and speaking with people. He was a voracious reader and he raced champion homing pigeons. He travelled to Ireland many times with his family where he enjoyed fishing off the rocks in Portacloy, County Mayo. He loved being surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary, his adoring children, Michael, Maureen, Anne and James, grandchildren Michael Giannini, Christopher Giannini, Tara Bjork, Kiera Bjork and Kiely Bjork all of Laurinburg, and his sister Marion Travers of Yonkers, New York. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Travers, and joins them, his brothers Joe Travers, Frank Travers and Donald Travers and his sisters Rita Thomas, Lorraine Keays, and Irene Dolan and his son-in-law Paul Bjork.

Funeral Mass Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St Mary's Church Catholic Church in Laurinburg. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Richard Boles Funeral Service. A private internment will be held at a later date.