Obituary of V. Arthur Traphagen

Wayland - V. ARTHUR TRAPHAGEN, 89, businessman, civic leader, and longtime resident of Wayland, NY passed away early Sunday morning March 25, 2018 at Highland Hospital in Rochester.

Art was born May 31, 1928 in Walden, NY, one of four children of Alden Traphagen and Margaret Hedden.  He was married December 30, 1950 in Wallkill, NY, to Geraldine Maley, a local businesswoman who predeceased him in 2015. Art graduated in 1947 from Walden High School, where he was a talented varsity basketball and baseball player; scouted to be a pitcher by the Pittsburgh Pirates; and met his future wife at a rival school. He then attended and graduated in 1949 from the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences (now the New York City College of Technology), and continued studies at Newark (New Jersey) College of Engineering.  Prior to continuing his studies at Newark College, Art served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1952. 

Art moved to Wayland in 1955, where he and his wife owned and operated Evans Gas Service, supplying bottled propane gas to residential and business customers until the early 1960s, then Evans Vending Service providing automated and fresh food service to manufacturing, mining, and food processing facilities throughout the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Genesee Valley until the mid-1970s. In the early 1970’s, he also purchased and managed Engels Cigar/Candy store on Main Street in Wayland. Subsequent to his retail business ventures, Art worked as a licensed real estate agent for Nothnagle Realtors and other agencies in the region, and then he owned and operated Gil-Den Realty, selling and appraising real estate.  Art retired in the late 1990s.

In the late 1970s, Art served as president of the Wayland Community Development Corporation, which brought Tri-Country Family Medicine to Wayland to remedy a shortage of physicians. A longtime supporter of St. Joseph’s Catholic School, he founded and coached boys’ baseball and basketball teams in the 1960s and 1970s.  Art was an active member of Rotary International for over 50 years.  He served several terms as president of the Wayland chapter and along with his wife hosted visiting delegations from Australia, Brazil, Finland, and India.  Art was recognized three times over as a Paul Harris Fellow for contributing to the Rotary Foundation’s effort to eradicate polio as well as local charities including the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, which serves disabled children and young adults in Steuben, Livingston, Wyoming, and Allegheny counties.  During retirement, he advised Rotary Interact and RYLA community service programs for local teenagers.  

Art was pre-deceased by his parents; his wife of over 64 years, Geraldine; his brothers, Raymond and Elwood. Art is survived by his, four children, Mark Traphagen (Cristina Carvalho) of Washington D.C., Eric (Anita) Traphagen of Wake Forest, NC, Kim Marie LaLonde of Honeoye Falls, and Dirk (Kimberly) Traphagen of Wayland; his grandchildren, Ian and Lara Traphagen, Dillon and Dustin Traphagen, Shane and Tyler LaLonde and Nicole and Sara Traphagen; his sister, Mildred McKaig of Pine Bush, NY, along with several nieces and nephews. 

Art’s family and friends may call Tuesday April 3 from 5-8pm at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples Street, Wayland.  A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, April 4 at 11am at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of V. Arthur Traphagen may be made to Genesee Valley Rotary camp, c/o Ernest Wiard, 15 Hal-bar Rd.., Avon, NY 14414 or at https://gvrc.org/.