715th Railway Operating Company - Ted Simard

Matt wrote about his Uncle Ted - after years of thinking Ted was in the 716th he now knows Ted was actually in the 715th Railway Operating Battalion. 

 He sent some great photos and a little about Ted ! Thanks 

Thomas T. Simard (87) passed away in January of 2001 of pneumonia. He was born in Island Pond, Vermont in 1914. His parents were Thomas & Odiana Simard of Island Pond, Vermont. He was pre-deceased by his parents Thomas and Odiana, His Brother Stanley, His Sisters Bernadine Wilbur and Arlene Morse, and by his wife Lucy in 1986. Ted and Lucy did not have any children, but left behind many adoring nieces and nephews. Ted worked for the Grand Trunk Railroad (later owned by Canadian National Railways) from the early age of 14. He started as a messenger boy. Through his 50 years working there he held many jobs including Carman, and at his retirement he had been the operator of Train Wreck Recovery Crane #50029 for many years. During WWII Ted was called to duty. He served in the 716th Railroad Operating Unit, operating in Europe. He did many of the same railway jobs he was trained in at home during the war. After the war, he returned to his home in Island Pond, Vermont and resumed his career with the Railroad. 

He retired in 1978. During his free time he enjoyed hunting and fishing , visiting with relatives and friends, and spent Winters in Florida many years after retirement. Visits with him, and hearing his many railroading adventure stories will be greatly missed. Ted Simard receiving a special gift in 1965. 

A scale model of the crane he operated for decades. He is the one standing closest to the crane.