Charles
Charles Trafford
d. August 12, 2009
Charles Harmer "Chick" Trafford, educator and the latest in a line of family owners of Greensburg's Peterson Handwriting system, passed away Wednesday following a long illness at the age of 75.
Trafford was born in Greensburg on August 4, 1934, and lived in Manasquan, N.J., and attended college in Greensboro, N.C., prior to returning to western Pennsylvania in 1956 to work in the family business, which was founded in 1908 by his grandfather.
In 1972, Trafford founded Educational Self-Development, following the sale of Peterson to out-of-state interests, continuing to market the family handwriting methods and systems in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. He regained control of the Peterson Handwriting name in 1984, adopting the historic mark for his Greensburg-based business.
Trafford served in multiple leadership roles for The Four Freshmen Society, the organization devoted to the pioneering vocal jazz quartet. His leadership is credited with contributing significantly to the group's popularity during the past 30 years. He also co-hosted a radio program on Greensburg's WHJB-AM 620 for five years that featured music of The Four Freshmen.
Trafford also was active for many years in Habitat for Humanity, organizing five Four Freshmen benefit concerts at Greensburg's Palace Theatre to assist the Westmoreland charity.
A graduate of Guilford College in North Carolina, Trafford held a Master's from the University of Pittsburgh.
He is survived by his wife, Susan (nAC.e Smith), daughters Amy Newman of Montpelier, Vt., and Elizabeth Trafford of Bradenton, Fla.; grandson Wakeland Newman; sister Beth Trafford Peters Bergal of Ocala, Fla.; brother Christopher Trafford of Belleview, Fla., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will take place Monday, August 17, 2009, at 2 PM in the First Presbyterian Church, 300 South Main Street, Greensburg, Pa., 15601-3163. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Presbyterian Church.
Kepple-Graft Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements.
Trafford was born in Greensburg on August 4, 1934, and lived in Manasquan, N.J., and attended college in Greensboro, N.C., prior to returning to western Pennsylvania in 1956 to work in the family business, which was founded in 1908 by his grandfather.
In 1972, Trafford founded Educational Self-Development, following the sale of Peterson to out-of-state interests, continuing to market the family handwriting methods and systems in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. He regained control of the Peterson Handwriting name in 1984, adopting the historic mark for his Greensburg-based business.
Trafford served in multiple leadership roles for The Four Freshmen Society, the organization devoted to the pioneering vocal jazz quartet. His leadership is credited with contributing significantly to the group's popularity during the past 30 years. He also co-hosted a radio program on Greensburg's WHJB-AM 620 for five years that featured music of The Four Freshmen.
Trafford also was active for many years in Habitat for Humanity, organizing five Four Freshmen benefit concerts at Greensburg's Palace Theatre to assist the Westmoreland charity.
A graduate of Guilford College in North Carolina, Trafford held a Master's from the University of Pittsburgh.
He is survived by his wife, Susan (nAC.e Smith), daughters Amy Newman of Montpelier, Vt., and Elizabeth Trafford of Bradenton, Fla.; grandson Wakeland Newman; sister Beth Trafford Peters Bergal of Ocala, Fla.; brother Christopher Trafford of Belleview, Fla., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will take place Monday, August 17, 2009, at 2 PM in the First Presbyterian Church, 300 South Main Street, Greensburg, Pa., 15601-3163. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Presbyterian Church.
Kepple-Graft Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements.
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