Joseph "Jack" Trageser

Joseph “Jack” Martin Trageser, 89, of Westminster, MD, died on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Brightview Westminster Ridge.  Born April 24, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Henry and Melvina (Parr) Trageser.  He was the devoted husband of Florence Gertrude (Rutkowski) Trageser, to whom he was married for 67 years.

Jack’s career started at the Baltimore News-American in Baltimore, MD.  He then served in the United States Army for 3 years and was a proud veteran.  After that, he had a 35-year career at the National Security Agency.  In retirement, Jack kept himself very busy. He enjoyed playing golf, working with acrylic paints, woodworking, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.  He and Flo lived a wonderful life in Laurel, MD and later at Carroll Vista in Taneytown, MD.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Taneytown.

Surviving are sons, Michael “Mickey” Trageser (Susan) of Eldersburg, and Stephen Trageser (Jerriann) of Marriottsville; daughter, Mary Jean Short (Peter) of Pittsford, NY; siblings, Melvina Gayo of Baltimore; Mary Barbara Brown (Hershel) of Baltimore, and James Trageser (Judy) of SanDiego, CA; grandchildren, Jessica Colligan (Daniel), Sarah Smigovsky (Jason), Joseph Trageser, Ethan Trageser (Kerry), Amy Trageser, and Connor, Abby and Tori Short; great-grandchildren, Dillon, Lucas and Vincent; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by brothers Gerard and Jerome Trageser.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church will be private for family members only.  The service will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/MDFHWestminster/.   Father John J. Lesnick will be the celebrant.  The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. on Friday, January 29th at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD.  Masks must be worn in the funeral home and social distancing is to be observed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Park Foundation, 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005 Nationalparks.org, or to Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157.