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Fallen Friends
- Jerry O. Babcock

Jerry Babcock, former member and longtime friend of the Chapter,
passed away on June 26, 2013. Burial was July 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the Spring Forest Cemetery off Mygatt
Street in Binghamton, NY. Friends attending met at the cemetery main gate in Binghamton.
See Memorial photos.
- William S. Young obituary
William Simrell Young died peacefully at Barnes Kasson in Susquehanna early Wednesday August 8, 2012. He spent his youth and working
life in railroad history, journalism, and photography. His wonderful power of recall and extensive archive provided information for other
railroad researchers and fans. His family won't forget his earnest 1945 ride on a single speed bike from Starrucca, PA to New Berlin, NY
in pursuit of his dream and love of the Unadilla Valley Railroad. Born in Brooklyn, NY he moved with his family to Cranford, NJ with its
Rahway Valley Railroad, then to Starrucca, PA where he became infatuated with the Delaware and Hudson Railroad and the Erie's Starrucca
Viaduct in Lanesboro, PA. He later moved to Aiken, SC where he stayed until returning permanently to Starrucca in 2001,
writing and revising several railroad histories: Bridge of Stone (Starrucca Viaduct), Tunkhannock Viaduct (and the DL&W Hallstead Cut Off),
and the Unadilla Valley Railroad. His photo book about EMD F units, Covered Wagons, is considered a classic by many and his ShortLines is
still a guide for many. He was active as well in many genealogy and historical organizations. He was noted for his publishing of the
magazine Railroading and was a contributor to Trains, Railfan and other publications with membership in many historical railroad
societies including being a charter member of the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the NRHS. He served in the Army during the Korean
conflict in the US and Germany. His brother Richard Young and sister Althea Stice predeceased him. He enjoyed the love of cousins, nieces,
and nephews. An open house at Simrell Farm, 8353 Starrucca Creek Road, Susquehanna, PA is planned for the afternoon of Saturday, September 15th.
Bill gave many presentations to our chapter, the last two in 2007 and 2008.
He was unable to attend our 50th Anniversary Celebration on April 14th due to failing health.
See our Photos page for two photos of Bill Young.
- Tom Trencansky obituary

Thomas T. Trencansky, 61, of Dryden, NY, died unexpectedly June 19, 2012, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Thomas was born on January 14, 1951 in Johnson City, NY. Starting in childhood, he was an avid railroader and photographer, now well
known throughout the world. He worked at Cornell University as Administrative Manager of Geological/ Earth and Atmospheric Sciences for
29 years; owned and edited Dryden Tidbits; and recently retired as Executive Director of the Cayuga Nature Center. Over the years he
spent most of his free time publishing articles and photographs in railroad magazines; collecting and driving classic cars; and traveling.
His generous heart, pranks and smiles will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Lisa (Scott) and Maria (Jess);
brothers, Stephen (Mary Jane) and Eugene (Susan); sister Sandra Pasdon (Norbert); and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by
parents Stephen and Margaret; brother Ron; and sisters-in-law Debra and Ann.
Tom gave many presentations to our chapter.
Most recently, he presented the program Take the Picture at our
50th Anniversary Celebration
on April 14th.
Read Tom's profile, published in
Railfan & Railroad Magazine's June 1997 issue.
- Shelden King obituary

Well-known trolley and railroad historian Sheldon S. King, 80, of Alloway, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2012,
at Rochester General Hospital. Sheldon was born on December 6, 1931, in Syracuse, a son to the late Calvin and Grace Peebles King.
He was a graduate of Marathon Central Schools and Cortland Business Institute. Sheldon received his Bachelors in 1959 from SUNY Geneseo.
Sheldon retired as a librarian for Westinghouse in Horseheads, NY. He was an author of books
and articles concerning Upstate New York railroads and electric railways. He was also a speaker on the same topics. Sheldon was a
parishioner of the Lyons United Methodist Church, a member of the Lyons Civic Club, Western New York Postcard Club, and several
railroad historical societies. He is survived by two brothers, Stephen (Barbara) of Seneca Falls and Calvin (Jeanne) of Charlestown, SC;
several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grand nephew; and several friends from Alloway and Lyons Methodist Church.
Shelden gave presentations to our chapter, and also authored The Trolleys of the Triple Cities.
- John J. Young, Jr.
JJ Young, Jr. passed away on November 27, 2004. Read the
Tribute to John J. Young, Jr.
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