Joe Gender, age 90, (the obit shows 80) passed away on 02/07/2010. Joe was Co-Ordinator for Conrail's Locomotive Engineer Training School.
http://wwlp.tributes.com/show/Joseph-Gender-87824136#obituary
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"Mr. Pittsburgh"
Some nice comments received about Max Solomon -- many relayed via Fletcher Swanson:
From Martin Mrugal: "...When I joined Conrail fresh out of school as a sales trainee in 1986 I was assigned to the Green Tree Office in Pittsburgh. Dick Cohea, the sales manager, called Max and asked if a young new hire could tag along with him for the day. He agreed and warmly greeted me the next day. We did a high rail trip in his truck and conducted a left-right report - all day. It was eye opening and I learned over the years that Max knew more about the railroad in his pinky finger then most of the operations guys I met subsequently. Truly a great guy and a gentlemen. Rest in Peace Max..."
From: Carl Englund": "...Last night, as I was lying in bed, I was thinking about the years I spent with Max in Pittsburgh. He was a really terrific fellow to work for. I have tried to write down some of the more humorous moments with him.
At one of the big black tie shippers meetings, I was standing with Max watching in horror as he attempted to light a 2 inch long cigar. I was worried he was about to burn his face and hair off with the lighter. While walking around, I spotted a senior US Steel VP with several giant cigars. I got into a polite discussion with him and then complimented his cigar. He graciously offered me one which I immediately took to Max. Max was pleased with the cigar, put it in his coat pocket and continued the attempt to light the cigar butt in his mouth.
One morning, I got a call asking if I had a van. Telling Max my wife had one, he asked me to borrow it and meet him at the business train in the Pitt Passenger Station. Upon arrival, I was asked to take Ted, the cook, on a shopping trip. Max gave me a very specific itinerary to follow. At Benkovitz Seafoods, Ted was dismayed to see everyone in coat and tie (even the guys scaling fish!). He picked at the fish in the display cases and then left. In the car, he wanted to know if there were any other fish merchants in the area. Although it had been forbidden, I took him to Wholley's Fish Market. When Ted opened the doors to a crush of humanity inside, he remarked, this is my kind of place. We ended up getting all our sea food there and then went up the street arguing with he various Vietnamese fruit and vegetable merchants. I stepped back in horror when during the bargaining, he told one he had seen better lettuce and tomatoes in the garbage dumpster. Anyway, the trip was a success and the business car kitchen was supplied. When Max asked me later how the trip went, I remarked fine. Glad he never asked for details.
The Chairman of the Board and all the higher ups were coming to Pittsburgh on the business train. Max told me to get the B&B and paint the office and restroom that were located at the end of the platform. The entire area was policed up and painted. As the business train pulled in, Max and I made one last inspection of the area. Much to our surprise, someone had gone into the restroom and drawn a huge steamshovel on the wall. Underneath was the legend, "L Stanley's Crane." Max's face went white and he instructed me that under no circumstances was Mr. Crane to go in there. I waited outside the little office watching all the different board members get off the train and leave. Finally, Mr. Crane got off and came over to greet me. We talked for a moment and then he asked to be shown our facilities. I took him to see the cab signal test rack, the C&S office and the transportation office. He then asked to see the restroom facilities. I tried to steer him away but he was insistent. Max quickly made himself scarce as Mr. Crane and I walked to the other side of the office building. Inside the restroom, he stopped and stared at the wall for a few seconds. He then commented on the cleanliness but wanted the older fixtures changed out. As we turned to leave, he stopped me and said that next time we did any work in there, he wanted the piece of the wall with his picture. What a super guy.
Finally, we were on a business car trip returning to Pittsburgh from Altoona. It was a horrible trip with a lot of screaming and yelling, a regular blood letting. As the train was pulling into Pitt Passenger Station, Mr. Swanson noted several brand new airhoses and a wrench lying in the gauge. Just as he turned to rip someone a new one, Max spoke up saying, "Darn, I was wondering where I had left them."
There were many more funny incidents that I had with Max. I think he had taken a liking to me because everytime he was off for Coast Guard duties, I was asked to move up to Greentree and cover his job. He was truly a gem to work for and I am sure will be greatly missed..."
From Reilly McCarren: I have fond memories of Max from my time as RSIE in Pittsburgh in 1983-1984. He helped me understand how things "really worked" in the then-complicated Conrail hierarchy. I was fortunate enough to see him frequently in the 1990's at the Pgh Tfc Club dinner and AARS meetings. He was a kind, unique and interesting individual and will be much missed.
From Henry Posner III: "...Anyone riding Amtrak east of Pittsburgh can note CP-Solomon at the east end of the station. In the railroad world this is like having a major street named after you, the best evidence of his truly being “Mr. Pittsburgh” on the PRR, PC, CR and finally NS. He was also a Nice Guy who got things done despite serving in an era when being a Nice Guy was considered by many to be a sign of weakness. In this regard he commanded both respect and affection.
I personally benefitted from his friendship and guidance over the years, beginning with our meeting at a derailment around 1969 when I was in high school. My decision to start my own railroad career with Conrail was largely on his advice. He was one of a kind, and will be sorely missed..."
From Martin Mrugal: "...When I joined Conrail fresh out of school as a sales trainee in 1986 I was assigned to the Green Tree Office in Pittsburgh. Dick Cohea, the sales manager, called Max and asked if a young new hire could tag along with him for the day. He agreed and warmly greeted me the next day. We did a high rail trip in his truck and conducted a left-right report - all day. It was eye opening and I learned over the years that Max knew more about the railroad in his pinky finger then most of the operations guys I met subsequently. Truly a great guy and a gentlemen. Rest in Peace Max..."
From: Carl Englund": "...Last night, as I was lying in bed, I was thinking about the years I spent with Max in Pittsburgh. He was a really terrific fellow to work for. I have tried to write down some of the more humorous moments with him.
At one of the big black tie shippers meetings, I was standing with Max watching in horror as he attempted to light a 2 inch long cigar. I was worried he was about to burn his face and hair off with the lighter. While walking around, I spotted a senior US Steel VP with several giant cigars. I got into a polite discussion with him and then complimented his cigar. He graciously offered me one which I immediately took to Max. Max was pleased with the cigar, put it in his coat pocket and continued the attempt to light the cigar butt in his mouth.
One morning, I got a call asking if I had a van. Telling Max my wife had one, he asked me to borrow it and meet him at the business train in the Pitt Passenger Station. Upon arrival, I was asked to take Ted, the cook, on a shopping trip. Max gave me a very specific itinerary to follow. At Benkovitz Seafoods, Ted was dismayed to see everyone in coat and tie (even the guys scaling fish!). He picked at the fish in the display cases and then left. In the car, he wanted to know if there were any other fish merchants in the area. Although it had been forbidden, I took him to Wholley's Fish Market. When Ted opened the doors to a crush of humanity inside, he remarked, this is my kind of place. We ended up getting all our sea food there and then went up the street arguing with he various Vietnamese fruit and vegetable merchants. I stepped back in horror when during the bargaining, he told one he had seen better lettuce and tomatoes in the garbage dumpster. Anyway, the trip was a success and the business car kitchen was supplied. When Max asked me later how the trip went, I remarked fine. Glad he never asked for details.
The Chairman of the Board and all the higher ups were coming to Pittsburgh on the business train. Max told me to get the B&B and paint the office and restroom that were located at the end of the platform. The entire area was policed up and painted. As the business train pulled in, Max and I made one last inspection of the area. Much to our surprise, someone had gone into the restroom and drawn a huge steamshovel on the wall. Underneath was the legend, "L Stanley's Crane." Max's face went white and he instructed me that under no circumstances was Mr. Crane to go in there. I waited outside the little office watching all the different board members get off the train and leave. Finally, Mr. Crane got off and came over to greet me. We talked for a moment and then he asked to be shown our facilities. I took him to see the cab signal test rack, the C&S office and the transportation office. He then asked to see the restroom facilities. I tried to steer him away but he was insistent. Max quickly made himself scarce as Mr. Crane and I walked to the other side of the office building. Inside the restroom, he stopped and stared at the wall for a few seconds. He then commented on the cleanliness but wanted the older fixtures changed out. As we turned to leave, he stopped me and said that next time we did any work in there, he wanted the piece of the wall with his picture. What a super guy.
Finally, we were on a business car trip returning to Pittsburgh from Altoona. It was a horrible trip with a lot of screaming and yelling, a regular blood letting. As the train was pulling into Pitt Passenger Station, Mr. Swanson noted several brand new airhoses and a wrench lying in the gauge. Just as he turned to rip someone a new one, Max spoke up saying, "Darn, I was wondering where I had left them."
There were many more funny incidents that I had with Max. I think he had taken a liking to me because everytime he was off for Coast Guard duties, I was asked to move up to Greentree and cover his job. He was truly a gem to work for and I am sure will be greatly missed..."
From Reilly McCarren: I have fond memories of Max from my time as RSIE in Pittsburgh in 1983-1984. He helped me understand how things "really worked" in the then-complicated Conrail hierarchy. I was fortunate enough to see him frequently in the 1990's at the Pgh Tfc Club dinner and AARS meetings. He was a kind, unique and interesting individual and will be much missed.
From Henry Posner III: "...Anyone riding Amtrak east of Pittsburgh can note CP-Solomon at the east end of the station. In the railroad world this is like having a major street named after you, the best evidence of his truly being “Mr. Pittsburgh” on the PRR, PC, CR and finally NS. He was also a Nice Guy who got things done despite serving in an era when being a Nice Guy was considered by many to be a sign of weakness. In this regard he commanded both respect and affection.
I personally benefitted from his friendship and guidance over the years, beginning with our meeting at a derailment around 1969 when I was in high school. My decision to start my own railroad career with Conrail was largely on his advice. He was one of a kind, and will be sorely missed..."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Larry Kane Arrangements
From Ed Strauss...
As many of you know, Larry passed away this morning at Chester County Hospital. After more than a year, the blood platelets and the liver problems took its toll on him. His family hoped that he would overcome the problem, but it was not to be.
His arrangements are:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 -
Viewing at 1 PM; service at 2 PM
DellaVecchia, Reilly Smith & Boyd Funeral Home
410 North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-1181
website: www.drsfh.com (information will be on website soon)
As many of you know, Larry passed away this morning at Chester County Hospital. After more than a year, the blood platelets and the liver problems took its toll on him. His family hoped that he would overcome the problem, but it was not to be.
His arrangements are:
Thursday, February 4, 2010 -
Viewing at 1 PM; service at 2 PM
DellaVecchia, Reilly Smith & Boyd Funeral Home
410 North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
610-696-1181
website: www.drsfh.com (information will be on website soon)
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