Paulinskill/Owen Sturm has passed away UPDATE 11-10-2011 4PM

I wonder if there is a way to link these tributes in this thread to the guest book on the online obituary....? I would do so if I knew how... As I said earlier, this is a terrible loss and even more so that it was an accident...

Alan

Tossing out a suggestion for consideration:

If forum participants would like to make a donation to the West Orange First Aid Squad, in accordance with the wishes expressed in Owen's obituary, you can send a check to me, made out to West Orange First Aid Squad, and with "In memory of Owen Sturm" on the notation line. I will gather them all together over the next 10 days or so and send them to the Squad, along with an appropriate letter recognizing all the contributors from his OGR Online Forum family.

Send to:

Allan Miller
OGR Publishing
33 Sheridan Rd.
Poland, OH 44514

Thank you Allan. Thats a great idea!

Does anyone have pictures of Owen's layout. I would like to see them start this weeks photo thread in honor of him.
Scott Smith

Thanks Owen for all that you have dune for this hobby. I know all of
us from the Thursday night run what you bring on your Layout. You will
be missed rest in peace.
Dave

An unfortunate accident and truly sad loss. Owen was a great contributor to our hobby and from those who personally knew him, we know he was a great friend to man.

I am shocked to hear this bad news. He loved seeing & talking with my grandson Derek at york. He was such a nice person.

I didn't know Owen personally, but I knew him through his help on this board. He will be missed.

I too am shocked and saddened. Owen befriended me when we first met at a first frost Breakfast. When ever our paths crossed his smile was so infectious he would brighten my day. I was so looking forward to seeing him this coming Saturday. May he rest in peace.

My Condolences to his Family and Friends. Another sad day in our model railroading fraternity.

quote:

Originally posted by scott.smith:
Does anyone have pictures of Owen's layout. I would like to see them start this weeks photo thread in honor of him.
Scott Smith

Maybe Walter or Corsair29 may have some photos?

Even though I have never met Owen, I am acquainted with all his contributions on the forum. My condolences go out to his family and friends. Like with Marty, my Legacy whistles and horns will sound loudly tonight to honor this beloved man.

TEX
Steve

quote:

Does anyone have pictures of Owen's layout. I would like to see them start this weeks photo thread in honor of him.

Owen showed me photos. Perhaps his wife has them and, when the time is right, we shall post them on the Forum.

Eliot

At the bottom of page 3 there's little to say that hasn't been said already. I share ALL of the sentiments expressed.

A fresh story about Owen showing his whimsical and totally friendly sides.

A few years back at one of the York meets, he found out that we were staying at the same hotel. I was checking in and the clerk said, after seeing my name, that I had a message that some one left. He handed me the note and it was a humorous (what else?) welcoming from Owen!!

Every York since then there's been a hand written note from him waiting for me at the desk of that hotel.

So not only will I greatly miss this great man, I've lost a little bit of something that made York special to me.

I will miss you Owen!

- walt

I blew a whistle on the layout for ten seconds in Owens honor.

Allan, thanks for this opportunity. As they say, the check is in the mail to you for Owen's fund.

I can't beleive Owen is no longer with us. We first talked at one of the NJHR open houses some years ago, and last at the fall York meet. Great guy, who will be missed by everyone. My condolences to his family and friends.

Jack

There is a lesson to be learned here on how my friend died. Please let the professionals deal with damaged or down tree's. They are heavy and after a storm they are just waiting to fall over. A few dollars to hire a tree company can prevent what happened to Owen. R.I.P. Owen.


Dave

While I have not been on these boards recently, I had kept in touch with Owen (lived several miles from us).

I feel honored to have known him for these past five years. Whether it was running trains at our homes, visiting train shows or the various local RR clubs, having Saturday morning coffee at Dunkin Donuts or a slice/beer in the valley here, or lamenting the ups and downs of the stock market on the back deck - he was quintessential salt of the earth who'd give you the shirt off his back (and advice to boot) in a moment's notice. They just don't make too many of his kind these days anymore.

From Brenda (and our children who occasionally joined us on our train activities) as well, our deepest condolences to Mary, his family and friends.

Rest in peace, my friend.

-PJ

Chris that is a great idea. How about we all blow our whistles and horns at 9:00 PM on Sunday in honor of Owen.

A sad, sad day indeed. Owen was genuine person. I will really miss those get togethers at his house running trains and enjoying the company of other Forum members. He was truly a special person.

I will miss you friend.

My deep condolences to Mary and the family.

Although I only knew Owen through his posts, I am saddened by his passing, very tragic.

There are so many wonderful comments on what a wonderful person he was. I'm sure Owen will be missed.

My heartfelt condolences to his family and many friends.

Sad news. I echo all the sentiments on this post. R.I.P. Owen and peace be with your family.

Jay

quote:

Originally posted by david1:
There is a lesson to be learned here on how my friend died. Please let the professionals deal with damaged or down tree's. They are heavy and after a storm they are just waiting to fall over. A few dollars to hire a tree company can prevent what happened to Owen. R.I.P. Owen.


Dave

I'm going to plead with everyone here on the forum NOT to try to remove a tree by yourself unless you have the training to do so.I've seen broken legs,arms and the worst of all by trying to do this.There is a huge difference between a 4 inch branch and a 40 foot tall tree and the danger increases 100 times for a tree with leaves.

At the power company we didn't consider High Voltage to be the most dangerous part of our job.Tree removal was and is

I'm so sorry this happened to Owen or anyone for that matter.
It's just a shame.

David

Here is is a link to a guestbook for Owen

Owen Sturm Guestbook

quote:

Originally posted by Allan Miller:
If forum participants would like to make a donation to the West Orange First Aid Squad, in accordance with the wishes expressed in Owen's obituary, you can send a check to me, made out to West Orange First Aid Squad, and with "In memory of Owen Strum" on the notation line. I will gather them all together over the next 10 days or so and send them to the Squad, along with an appropriate letter recognizing all the contributors from his OGR Online Forum family.

Great idea, Allan! My check will go out in tomorrow's mail.

Reading through some of the memories posted here, I can echo many of the experiences - when I went to my first Thursdays at Friday's gathering, Owen made a point of introducing me to everyone in our immediate vicinity, and we would spend time chatting at every get-together. In his memory, we should all take the time to make sure that the friends we have that are still with us all know how much we value their friendship. To my friends here on the Forum, I want all of you to know how blessed I feel to know such a great bunch. We were all blessed to have Owen among us.

Andy

Like everyone else that had a chance to get to know him, I too will miss him.

As others have said this is shocking News. Like Phil and Erol; I too just greeted him at the METCA Anniversary Banquet. When he found out the other day how close he lived to my family; he told me to come over anytime. I'll never have that pleasure. He introduced me to Mary and we talked some before he found a seat. Owen was a gentleman that became an instant friend. I first met him at the diner when we had breakfast before Trainstock; I can't recall which one but his wrist was in a cast. We talked at length on the phone. Owen was a great supporter of METCA and the upcoming TCA convention in 2015.
Farewell Owen, may all your signals be green.

Obviously one who was and is well loved. God speed you!

HOPPY

Owen,

The world was a better place for having you a part of it. Heaven will now be the recipient of your outgoing, positive personality. Thank you for being my friend. I will miss you Saturday at the HamFam breakfast, and all the Allentowns to come.

May you rest in peace.

It is difficult to come to terms with the passing of a friend, especially one so full of life. As many have said, Owen was the kind of guy you instantly liked. He was always willing to share his hobby and knowledge with others. I will truly miss his visits to my layout and mine to his. The hobby won't be the same without him. God speed my friend!

Life is so fragile. Owen always seemed to have a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. A truly outgoing and friendly person who was full of enthusiasm for anyone or anything he was around. It is obvious he's touched many lives in a positive way. Something we should all strive for. Owen showed the way.

May you have a highball signal and a clear track to your ultimate reward.

Ted

Owen was one of the first forumites I ever met. He was also one of the nicest men I ever met. When he met you, you instantly went from stranger to old friend. My Dad is not much interested in trains, and has only went to a few events with me, but Owen was someone who he looked forward to seeing. We both send our condolences to the family.

Sitting here, stunned, for the past 20 minutes, reading all your wonderful tributes. And have nothing but agreeing nods, smiles at your reminisces, and my own warm memories of this good and kind man to add to the growing list of friends and admirers.
My heartfelt condolences to Owen's family and loved ones.

Scot Kienzlen
President, TCA
Metca Division

Completely shocked and saddened. Owen was one of my favorite people...not just in our mutual hobby, but in life. He always took time to see how I was doing and what was going on in my life. I feel fortunate I got to spend time with him at York in Oct. My sincere condolences to his lovely wife, Mary and the rest of his family.

I am very shocked and saddened to read this tonight. I just saw Owen at this Oct York & Fridays. Great guy and will be truly missed. My condolences to his family and friends. God Bless!

I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Owen, other than through his witty and helpful posts. But I considered him a model railroader friend, and will miss him.

My prayers for Owen and his family.

Alex

Very sad news indeed: he was a fine gentleman. Like many others I enjoyed seeing and speaking with Owen at York, including this past October. My heart goes out to his wife and family -- prayers for their peace as well.

This article was in my local newspaper yesterday, but I didn't realize it was Owen

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MAN DIES AFTER TREE FALLS ON HIM

A Long Valley resident died Monday after he was injured while using a chain saw to cut down a tree, police said.

Police were called to a home on Scenic Falls Road in the Long Valley section of the township at 4:06 p.m. on a report that a 66-year old man had been injured while cutting a tree with a chain saw.

As the 40-foot tree fell, the victim's lower leg became pinned between the stump and the cut portion of the tree, police said.

The victim was flown to Morristown Medical Center by emergency helicopter but later died from his injuries. His name has not been released because his family has not yet been notified, police said.

www.njhirailers.com

This is very sad news!! I enjoyed meeting him at York.

I will pray for his family.

Chris