Ray Travaglini dies at 80 after lengthy illness

The area businessman and community contributor died Monday.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — “The Valley and Youngstown State University and many others have lost a dear friend” in Ray Travaglini, said Joe Malmisur, former athletic director at Youngstown State University.

Travaglini, a longtime area businessman, passed away at Trumbull Memorial Hospital on Monday at age 80 after an extended illness.

He was the CEO of Travaglini Enterprises, based in Meadville, Pa., which controls a list of business operations including Holiday Inn hotels in Warren and West Middlesex, Pa., two industrial parks, a Comfort Inn in Edinburg, Pa., and two more hotels in Erie, Pa.

Travaglini also owned several Perkins restaurants in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

Throughout his years in the area, Travaglini and his family have been supporters of the Mahoning Valley community and Youngstown State University athletics.

The Travaglinis have also been important in making the Penguin Club’s annual Scholarship Ring Banquet a success as the event’s host each year at Mr. Anthony’s.

In 2004, Travaglini and his family, along with former YSU women’s basketball coach Ed DiGregorio, were honored as the 2004 Penguins of the Year.

Malmisur described Travaglini as kind and involved in the community and said he will be greatly missed throughout the Valley.

“He was a kind man who seemed to have a great concern for most things that had to do with our valley,” he said. “He certainly will be missed.”

Malmisur said no funeral arrangements will be made until after the holidays.

Travaglini, a native of Greenville, Pa., lived in Warren with his wife, Jan.