Warren L. Trafton, Jr. Obituary

Warren L. Trafton, Jr., 73, of North Kingstown, RI, died at home on March 7, 2018 in the care of his loving wife Sue Gould. Born in Cambridge, MA on July 3, 1944, Warren grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI, and graduated from Michigan State University. Following college, he worked for Convention and Visitors Bureaus in Detroit, MI, Wichita, KS, St. Louis, MO, Cleveland, OH, and Hartford, CT.
Warren was a lifelong sailor, having built his first boat at age 10 in his bedroom. Throughout his life, he enjoyed cruising, racing, and instructing others. With in-depth knowledge of sailing as a sport and lifestyle, Warren left corporate America to follow his dream of life at sea through living aboard his Tartan 30 sailboat; including multiple solo cruises to the Virgin Islands. Following that chapter of sailing adventure, Warren started and ran a yacht brokerage —Sailing Yachts Rhode Island— and he enjoyed introducing and encouraging folks to take up his love of sailing, even more than he liked selling them a boat. Warren was also a licensed US Coast Guard Sailing Master. In addition, he loved researching genealogy and he was a masterful storyteller.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren L. Trafton, Sr. and Parollee (nee Meyers), and his brother Robert Trafton. Survivors include his devoted wife of 13 years, Sue Gould; sons, Warren L. Trafton, III and Dan A. Trafton and their mother Deborah (nee Alcott); daughter, Katie (Brett) Bevan and her mother Loretta (nee Mansfield); stepson, Nick (Laura) Abood; brother, William Trafton of California; grandchildren, Evan, Iris, Bryce, Lauren; and his dearest friend, John Carter of Grosse Pointe.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Save the Bay in memory of Warren and his love for the water— savebay.org/donate. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.