BLET Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman Jim Ong Dies CLEVELAND,
April 17 - BLET Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman J.F. "Jim" Ong died on
Saturday, april 15, after a four month battle with cencer. Brother On was 62
years old. He is survived by his wife, Carold: three children, J.J. Ong Jeffifer Ong and
Heather Lutz: three grandchildren, Harris and Joe Ong; various in-laws; and
numerous nieces and nephews. Brother Ong was just re-elected Chairman of Ohio State Legislative Board last
week (April 11). He joined the Brotherhood on Dec 1, 1975, and was a member of
division 292 in Beach City, Ohio. He began serving on the Ohio State Legislative
Board in 1978. "On the behalf of the officers, staff and members of the BLET, I extend our
deepest condolences to Jim's family." said BLET National President Don M
Hahs. "HIs proximity to our headquarters in Cleveland allowed him to visit us
often. The staff and officers enjoyed his visits and remain grateful for his
hard work and devotion fo the Brotherhood. Brother Ong was a valuable asset to
our organization and he will be greatly missed.
"Jim was loved by all who knew him. He worked tirelessly for the members of
the state of Ohio. He was involved in all of the major legislative and election
campaigns that the Brotherhood worked on."
Brother On was the last fireman every hired by the Penna Central Railroad.
He later earned promotioni ato locomotive enineer at the Penn Central. Later, as
a Conrail engineer, he worked in terminals trhought the systen, ranging from
Grand Central Terminal in New York to Indianapolis, in the West. He later worked
for the Wheeling & Lake Erie in Ohio.
As Chairman of the BLET's Ohio State Legislative Board, Brother Ong served as
chief lobbyiet in the state, with his office located in Columbus. He
was a member of the BLET's National Association of State Legislative Board
Charmen and served as vice chairman for the 17 state Northeast Region. He was
responsible for coordinating legislative efforts amount the states in that
region.
IN Addition, to his work for the BLET, he was involved in the Mational
Association of Vateran Railroad Employees and the Mason. for the past 25 years,
he and his wife ahave opeation the Northview Residential Care facility in
Dennison. In 2005, Brother Ong was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal for the
annual Dennison Railroad Festival parade in Dennison, Ohio.
According to his family, Jim will be remembered as a loving husband,
father and grandfather. His knack to solve problems and make everyone laughed
will be missed. He was will known for his storytelling ability and was always
quick wit a joke and willing to lend and helping hand.
Calling hours for Brother Ong are tomorrow (Tuesday, April 18) from 5 pm -
9pm at the R.K. Lindsay Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio (26 Grand Street,
Dennison, Ohio 44621. His funeral will be held on Wednesday. April 19th, at
11am. at the funeral home.
Donations in memory of Brother Ong can be made to the American Diabetes
Association, Northeast Ohio Office (1815 W. Market Street, Suite 108 Akron, Ohio
44313). Flowers will also be accepted.
(With Reporting from the Dover-New PHiladelphia Times Reporter Newspaper_
