John Desantis

Sad news indeed.  John was a great guy.  I was lucky enough to know him and be able to visit his house twice.

So sorry to hear this.  He would open his home every December (pre-pandemic) for his neighborhood association's historic homes Christmas tour.  I got to visit his beautiful home and collection on one of these tours, and it was an experience I will never forget.

Andy

Well that's some tough news. A vast reservoir of knowledge and enthusiasm lost. Condolences to his family, friends, and associates.

A sad day...

Rest in Peace John.

How shocking, I was able to talk with him several times as well as share my home and layout with him. His knowledge was unbelievable and will sadly be missed. What an icon.

David

So sad - don't know what to say...

What sad news. Condolences to his family.

Very sad. He was such a good man on so many levels. RIP

My condolences to his family and friends.

-Greg

Visiting John’s home was on my bucket list. Keeping his family & friends in my thoughts & prayers. RIP

A sad day for the toy train world. RIP, John.

Very sad indeed. Our favorite TM video is devoted to his collection. We watch it regularly and we’re impressed not only with his collection but also his knowledge and humility  

Condolences to his family and friends.

A very sad day for everyone who enjoys standard gauge.  I was very fortunate to see his collection a few years ago.  May he rest in peace.

I hope that his collection can remain intact. 

Very sad news ..John will be greatly missed.

He was very kind to share his collection with the world.

This is truly sad news. Condolences to his family and friends. John will not be forgotten.

                                                 Trainfam

Rest In Peace

Very sad news, indeed! I had the good fortune of visiting John's home and collection about three years ago or so, and to say it was grand--both the home and the collection--would be a significant understatement. I know he was one who shared his vast knowledge of the hobby openly and widely, and he will surely be missed.

Such sad news. John was a true gentleman with an amazing collection. I'm so glad I got to experience visiting his home and collection. My condolences to his family.

Very sad news indeed. I never got to see his amazing collection in person. rest in peace John.

Sad news indeed.  R.I.P.  John.

Obituary:  https://www.post-gazette.com/n...stories/202201020197

And a brief story from a Pittsburgh TV station:  https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.co...ter-battling-cancer/

I really regret not getting to meet John since everyone has such wonderful things to say about him and his museum worthy collection. May he Rest In Peace.

When I saw the name I was like, oh no that can’t be the nice guy with the amazing collection in the great video.  He was an inspiration almost.  Sorry to hear this.

I am deeply saddened to hear of John's passing.  Sincere condolences to his family and close friends.  I was fortunate to receive a private tour of his meticulously restored historic home, collection and "Johnstown" during the planning stage of our 2014 Annual Convention and returned again when John allowed me to bring 3 busloads of LOTS Members to his home.  I told LOTS Members to be prepared to be "amazed" and AMAZED they certainly were!  John will be missed, but never forgotten.  May he rest in peace.  Paula @ LOTS

For anybody who did not have the opportunity to see John's tinplate collection, here is link to a thread I started back 2016 when I was there for a visit. I included a lot of photos. John's collection will amaze everybody.

https://ogrforum.com/...ge-collection?page=1

A brilliant light has been extinguished.  John amassed the finest collection of Standard Gauge trains in the world, and generously shared his knowledge and collection with all enthusiasts. His contributions to the Train Collectors Association and IVES Train Society were monumental. His work on the new TCA website was transformative. It was a huge privilege to know him, work with him, and to be his friend.

So sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a great ambassador to the hobby and for historic preservation.

Darn. He seemed like a really nice man with a good sense of humor, and that article sounds like we’ll be far from the only people who miss him.

John was a true ambassador for our hobby.  I got to know John through several years of setting up Kids Club displays at his Home and Garden show.  He gave us a large area to set up several displays, including the Fort Pitt Hi Railers.  He provided us with a nice collection of GEO tracks for the kids to build their own railroad.  Anything we needed to make this a fun event he was there for us.  It was a true reflection of his love for trains and support for TCA and the local Fort Pitt Division.  He seemed to have an unending energy, always coming up with new ideas and suggestions for our chapter.  John was always on the search for rare, one of a kind, pre war trains.  He amassed a large collection and welcomed many into his home to see the collection.  He will be greatly missed.  May he rest in peace.