We regret to announce that Arthur Lonto passed away on March 9, 2009. Arthur served ERA faithfully for many years. He held a variety of offices, including president.
Bernard Linder photo of Arthur Lonto at Branford (July 6, 1964)
Arthur was on the Headlights staff for several years before joining the Division Bulletin in 1959. After he was promoted to editor in 1960, he assembled a competent staff and was able to print the latest transit news as well as interesting and detailed historical articles. Starting with a three-page mimeographed issue, the Bulletin soon expanded to eight pages, reaching our members regularly. When I was appointed editor in 1981, I continued publishing the Bulletin in the same format.
Until a new editor was appointed, Arthur served again as the editor of Headlights in the early 1990s. He was also a member of the Branford Electric Railway Association, where he helped build three car barns. He was the manager of the souvenir stand from 1971 to 1979.
Arthur served his country during World War II. He was in the Army for nearly three years and overseas in Europe for 16 months. Unfortunately, he was wounded there.
After he returned home, he worked in his father’s real estate office until it was no longer profitable. Like many railfans, Arthur was hired by NYC Transit, where he eventually was promoted to associate transit management analyst. He retired in 2002.
Arthur and I had been friends since I started contributing to the Bulletin in 1963. I will certainly miss a dear friend.
Charles A. Akins
Charlie passed away on March 22, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. His service to the ERA and its NY Division was lengthy and distinguished. Charlie first joined the ERA in 1964 and essentially held a variety of offices in both the Division and the ERA for more than 30 years, including two long periods as division chairman in the 1970s and 1990s. He continued as first national vice-president and held that office until his death. Charlie will be remembered in the years ahead as a leading light of our organization, full of ideas to improve the way we operated. Many considered his the connecting link between the great founders of this organization in the years before World War II and the ERA we know today.
Charlie was born in Brooklyn, grew up in its rich streetcar and rapid transit environment, and as a result developed a lifelong interest in electric railways. A graduate of St. Francis College in Brooklyn, he first worked as a teacher in the New York City public school system. He then went on to a distinguished 35-year career with the Social Security Administration, receiving many honorary and performance awards.
Charlie had a great love for New York City, frequently attending the theater and New York Philharmonic performances. He closely followed politics and current events, and could never finish reading each day’s New York Times. He was a member and contributor to St. Joseph’s Church and contributed generously and frequently to other worthy causes. He was known as an experienced international traveler and was fortunate enough to see many overseas destinations. Finally, he was the type of person who developed friendships with both work and hobby colleagues and kept them for decades.
No words in the English language can adequately describe the sense of loss we have for our close colleague, our intrepid traveler, our fellow railfan, and our dear friend. His presence will be sorely missed, his brilliant thinking will not be shared and his voice unheard, but we will cherish his memory in our hearts for the rest of our lives. All of us earnestly pray that God rests his soul.