Travous, who produced his art under the pseudonym “Suvo”, was born in Alton, IL, and raised in Belleville, IL. He lived in St. Augustine for the past six years; almost all of that time at odds with the City over the Constitutional rights of artists to express themselves through their work in the Plaza de la Constitucion.
He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Timothy, mother, Mary Carmelita, nee Duffy, and father Charles R. Travous; as well as his inseparable friend, Karl.
Travous is survived by his siblings; Jody (James) Nee of Eagan, MN, Chad (Carol Ann) Travous of Tryon, NC, Jamie (David) Maul of Swansea, IL, and companion Lisa Netzer Wozniak of St. Augustine, her family and hundreds of adopted, local friends.
In the early morning hours of Friday, June 10th, Travous explained in an e-mail, to Historic City News Editor Michael Gold and others who heard rumors of his illness, what had happened to him in a recent six-day stay in Flagler Hospital, how he was feeling and his plans for the future.
“Many of my friends were already aware that I knew of a cancerous condition for the last four years,” Travous wrote. “After being punctured and probed for days, I received the grim prognosis, verified by a group of doctors. Cancer had reached stage four and was in four organs. Treatments would be useless at this point.”
In that e-mail, Travous wrote, “I have lived a life that has been what I consider interesting and have had more than my share of adventure.”
Upon hearing news of his condition, local photographer and friend, Elena Hecht, put together a picnic event, “In Honor of Greg Travous – A Gathering of Friends” at the pavilion of Eddie Vickers Park on Riberia Street that was held Sunday, June 26th. The invitation said the gathering and potluck picnic was “to show our support and friendship to Greg Travous” and encouraged friends to bring a dish to share, an instrument to play, and a story or smile.
Nadine Phelps is helping to coordinate a memorial gathering to be held on Travous birthday, September 11, 2011, from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in his favorite location — the Plaza in downtown Saint Augustine.
Phelps has announced that friends and supporters will gather in solidarity and unity in a peaceful demonstration of Travous’ dedication to the fight for the Constitutional Rights of visual artists in St. Augustine and everywhere. Everyone is invited to attend.
“I miss him a lot, but am happy that he became part of our family,” Wozniak told Gold. She said that Greg’s last words to her were, “What’s the prize?” She said, “I explained that for me, having him as a friend was the prize, and that I hoped he felt the same about me, and his other friends.”
Contributions in memory of Gregory Travous may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Lisa Netzer Wozniak
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