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RE: (erielack) JJ Young, Jr. Obit- Binghamton Press & Sun Bulleti n

Just to put a little context around this, for those who might not know:

J. J. Young, Jr. was a well-known Binghamton-area rail photographer, and has had numerous photos of Erie, DL&W and EL published in books (and the ELHS Diamond as well). His photographic talents were beyond reproach, and we are all sadly lesser for his loss...


> -----Original Message-----
> From: S.J. Botts [mailto:sjbotts_@_alliancecom.net] 
> Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 3:27 PM
> To: erielack_@_lists.railfan.net
> Subject: (erielack) JJ Young, Jr. Obit- Binghamton Press & 
> Sun Bulletin
> 
> 
> John J. Young, Jr.
> (formerly of Binghamton)
> of Charleston, West Virginia
> 
> JJ Young, Jr. passed away quietly at his home in Charleston, West 
> Virginia, on Saturday, November 27th, 2004, at the age of 75. Born in 
> Wheeling, W.Va., May 23, 1929, he worked for Wheeling Mold & Foundry 
> and the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad. He moved to Binghamton in 1959 
> and worked for Stickley Sivers Photo, he later took a job at Broome 
> Technical Community College in the audio-visual department. He had a 
> knack with the students and was the student advisor for the BCC 
> Student Government. He also started a camera club on campus to teach 
> students the finer qualities of photography; this later lead to the 
> creation of the photography classes he became an instructor for, and 
> are now part of Broome Community College's Communications Curriculum. 
> He retired from the College in 1995 and returned to West Virginia to 
> enjoy retirement. His parents, John and Margurite Young predeceased 
> him; his wife, Elizabeth, survives him. He has also left behind his 
> five children and their spouses, John and Susan Young, Cheryl and 
> Curt Miller, Tom Young and their mother, Doris, Paul Davis and Diane 
> Davis; as well as his grandchildren, Christina Martinkovic, Kyle and 
> Alexis Miller, Tommy and Charise Young, Kyle Davis and Gaibrial 
> Doamekpor; as well as several great-grandchildren. One brother and 
> his wife, Ed and Virginia Young; two sisters and their husbands, Mary 
> and Pat Pizolla and Elizabeth and Lawrence Megan, also survive him; 
> as well as several nieces and nephews. His many friends around the 
> world that he has met throughout his travels will sorely miss him. He 
> was a thespian and was well know for his portrayal as the prospector 
> for WBNG-TV's gold rush commercial in the Binghamton area; also 
> enjoying the role of "Teddy Roosevelt" in Arsenic and Old Lace for 
> BCC Theater; as well as other many other characters through out his 
> years at BCC. The greatest loss is to not only the rail fan community 
> but the industry too. He was considered to be one of the world's 
> greatest rail photographers, with many of his photos being published 
> in books and magazines around the world. His ability to capture and 
> bring life to a still black and white photograph had many people 
> asking questions, by which he was always willing to teach others 
> technique and composition. He was a great storyteller and had a way 
> to hold one's attention. His memory was unsurpassed by anyone today, 
> he remembered every story and photo he had ever taken and because of 
> this he has been recognized for his assistance in recreating history 
> in both photo and facts. He was honored by the former Governor 
> Underwood of West Virginia as to being a state hero for his 
> documentation of West Virginia's railroad history in and around the 
> Wheeling area, his photos and stories are on permanent display at the 
> old B&O station in Wheeling, which is now part of W. Va. Northern 
> Community College. His caring and understanding of others made him 
> who he was. He will be remembered for all of his contributions - not 
> only to the rail community and museums, but the people's lives he 
> touched through his short stay with us.
> Visitation will be held Wednesday, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Barlow-Bonsall 
> Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, W. Va., the 
> prayer service will follow at 5:45 p.m. As per his wishes, his ashes 
> will be spread along the wye at St. Albans. Cards of sympathy may be 
> sent to the family in care of the funeral home. Barlow-Bonsall 
> Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. 
> 
> 
> 

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