Jack Franklin Conser of Boynton Beach, Fla, a retired senior vice president of RailAmerica, died at age 77 on April 10, 2021. Conser worked in the railroad industry for 42 years, beginning as a clerk for the Reading Co. in Williamsport, Pa., in 1961. From his hometown he went on to hold railroad positions in New York, Rhode Island, Michigan and Florida and, in retirement, to consult on railroads in the U.S. and abroad.
He was proud that his family and relations were in railroading for a combined total of more than 250 years, including his father’s 47 years on the New York Central/Penn Central and his own 42-year career. After beginning with the Reading, he was employed by the New York Central and Penn Central, including as trainmaster and supervisor of yard procedures in Buffalo and Batavia, N.Y.
In 1973, he joined the Providence & Worcester Railroad Co., where his positions included superintendent of traffic in Woonsocket, R.I. His later work with Genesee & Wyoming Industries of Rochester, N.Y., included positions with the G&W, Rochester & Southern, and the Buffalo & Pittsburgh railroads.
He joined RailAmerica in 1992 as vice president and general manager of the Huron & Eastern Railway of Vassar, Mich. He retired from the company in 2003 as senior vice president – transportation.
One railroad friend recalled Conser as “a calming face in a storm.” He was a raconteur who loved to tell stories about railroading — from coordinating circus trains to dealing with major train wrecks — and other life experiences. He enjoyed trading railroad lore and stories with other rail buffs and retirees. He self-published two memoirs, “End of the Line” and “Looking Back,” that provide a history of life on the railroad. One of his favorite sayings was, “To make a long story short …” but — to the delight of his listeners — he seldom did.
In retirement, he volunteered in his community and enjoyed tennis, walking his dog and spending time at the beach.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cheryl Child Conser; his daughter, Ellen Conser of Pittsburgh, Pa., and his son, Jack A. Conser of Ottawa, Canada.
