[MacDaddy55]

I thought I should share this with you guys because we lost a local legend a couple weeks ago. I've been so busy at work and upset about this that it literally slipped my mind. Gary "Cappy" Smith died of a massive heart attack just weeks before taking an extended Train Trip out west. This guy got me kicked started into HO trains twenty years ago....and he was a Lionel Freak! In his basement is the Largest "O" scale collection I have ever seen and railroad artifacts from the teens and twenties. Gary was a Corn Fed Iowan and sure did talk like it too boot, kinda outta the side of his mouth. Army Veteran, AM Vet, Volunteer at the North East Train Museum! I'm gonna talk to his brother Steve and see if I can take some photos of his layout and collection,which I said before is huge....kinda paying homage to this Model Railroad Giant! We sure will miss him!

 

[Reckers]

Mac, thank you for sharing that. I never knew Cappy, but his passing brings to mind the poem "No Man IS An Island" by John Donne.

No man is an island entire of itself; every man
is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;
if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe
is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as
well as any manner of thy friends or of thine
own were; any man's death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.​

 

[MacDaddy55]

That was really nice Reck. Not one to eulogize the departed but this guy was a genuine "Nice Guy" and would bend over backward to do a favor. Heck its guys like this that make model railroading worth doing. He and his brother Steve didn't get along all that well so I'm gonna try to wiggle my way into Gary's house to get some photos. You guys will be impressed! Thanks again!:thumbsup:

 

[tjcruiser]

MacD,

Very nice sentiments voiced on behalf of your friend. My condolences to those who knew him well. Sounds like a guy who we would have all enjoyed palling around with ourselves.

Looking forward to some pics of his talented lasting RR legacy.

Cheers,

TJ

 

[tooter]

Death would be unfair if only some of us died... but since nobody gets out of here alive, it's a perfectly level playing field.

Death is also a good reminder that we're all just renters here and only have the temporary use of our possessions. When we're gone, what we play with will pass to others who will get to play with them until they're gone.

It things weren't this way... we would take our lives for granted.

Greg

 

[tjcruiser]

:thumbsup:

Words of wisdom, there, Greg ... words of wisdom ...

Many years ago, I befriended a wonderful gentleman who had a passion for restoring old, vintage sailing yachts. I had the opportunity to help him with several design issues over the years.

Sadly, as he was contemplating a major structural reinforcement to one of his prized girls, he became quite ill, and passed away. The next year, his wife opted to push ahead with his vision, and again asked me to help out with design work. His crew fabricate a large, bronze "mast step" assembly which we installed in the boat, adding considerable stiffness and strength.

At the relaunch, his wife took me aside, and showed me a small bronze cylinder that had been added and incorporated into my design. Perplexed at first, I found myself shedding a tear when she explained that the cylinder would hold some of her husband's ashes, and be forever onboard the yacht to smile upon those future sailors who enjoyed her on horizons to come.

Friends may be lost, but it's within our hands to ensure that they -- and their passions -- are not forgotten.

TJ

 

[imatt88]

another vet and train enthusiast gone