Chief Customer Communications Officer
MARC Train Service
 |
| Eric (on the right) and his long-time co-conductor Ronnie Queen. |
CSX Transportation Conductor Eric Wolf passed away Tuesday morning. He suffered a massive heart attack shortly after Camden Line train #849 arrived in Washington. Eric worked for CSX Transportation and its predecessor companies for 38 years; he started working on the railroad when he was 19.
Eric was a consummate professional in his duties: transporting MARC Camden Line passengers to and from work safely ever day. But, Eric was more than a conductor--he was a jovial, humorous guy who made it a priority to make his passengers smile every day. I have known Eric for nearly 10 years, first as a passenger, then working for MARC, and I can honestly say that I never left a train that Eric worked without a smile on my face and another funny “Eric story”.
MARC has received several emails from our passengers expressing their sadness at Eric's passing. One of them, Elaine Bentley, sent me a message this morning:
"The train (Camden Line #849) going in this morning seemed especially empty without him. For the almost 10 years that I have been riding the train, Eric was always the conductor at the back of the train and was always nice to the passengers with his goofy humor, his wind-up toys, and morning greetings--especially to those of us who got on at Camden Yards. It seemed that the train was his "playground" and he never showed any resentment about working or about his passengers, which made rides with him a true pleasure...It was hard for a number of us passengers to ride the train today without his announcements and morning greeting."
Before Eric came to passenger service, he worked on freight trains, often at the automobile transfer facility in Jessup. Danny Wagner, a former CSX conductor and now a Passenger Operations Specialist in the CSX dispatching office sent me a humorous story about Eric:
“I can tell you as a new hire conductor working in the yard at Jessup in the mid 1990’s Eric was as funny as you described, in his own unique way. He called all us new guys “Will,” no matter what your name was, when Eric walked by he would say, “hey Will”. It was weird at first but once you knew it was coming, it always made you laugh. Watching the look on other new guys faces when he called them “Will” was priceless.”
Indeed, Eric had a unique sense of humor. If you’d ask him what he was going to do on the weekend, the response was often, “I’m gonna go to Super Fresh…they have triple coupons this week!” But in addition to being funny, he had a heart of gold. In talking to a retired CSX Conductor yesterday, I found out that Eric and his wife are passionate animal advocates and participated in a greyhound rescue program. They have fostered many greyhounds that were retired from racing and prepped them to become house pets.
Arrangements are pending at this time; we will let our passengers know when this information is released. In the words of one of our commuters, the Camden Line will never be the same again.
31 comments:
Eric was always there to let us on the train in the morning. He always helped me down the steps when we got to Union Station and told me to have a nice day. It was especially painful not to see him standing on both platforms this morning and not to hear his voice. I will miss him dearly.
Eric was always greeting me like "Hi Sweetie" every morning while I waited for the train to stop at the Laurel Station. This morning, I was wondering where Eric was and learned about his passing. I was so sad because there is no one like him! I will miss his enlightened greetings.
What a tremendous loss for the Camden line. It's weird riding home and not hearing his announcing technique. Such a pleasant man! His jovial spirit will never be forgotten. My prayers go out to his family at their time of bereavement.
Arrangements for Eric Wolf’s memorial service are as follows:
Ambrose Funeral Home of Lansdowne
2719 Hammonds Ferry Road
Halethorpe, MD
410-242-2211
Viewings will be on Friday, May 6th between 3:00-5:00pm and again from 7:00-9:00pm.
The funeral will be on Saturday, May 7th at 11:00am, also at Ambrose Funeral Home,
with burial to follow at Meadowridge Cemetery.
The 4:39pm train will never be the same. Eric was truly the life of the Camden Line. He was an honorary member of our "Laurel crew." We taught Eric how to rap and dance! I can stil hear him now saying "Riverdale's next Riverdale's next..exit from the front cause Riverdale's next"...that was his little rap/song that he used to say. He always was happy to see his "Laurel crew" and greeted some of us with a "Adrienne BABY!!" or "Ernest BABY!!" ....Lastly, we all LOVED the way he said Baltimore! BAL-DEE-MORE!
Tremendous loss of the Camden line. RIP Eric.
My husband and I sometimes rode Mr Wolfs train home together and I caught his morning train a few times a week. Many occasions sitting in the Quiet Car, we had a tough time reducing laughter to noiseless smiles when Mr Wolf made his announcements. I'll never forget his version of "Ball-tee-more". He always turned a stressful event like bad weather or mechanical delays into a lighthearted matter. It was always a good start to the day hearing his "how YOU doin'?"
He will and is missed by many.
Eric Wolf was the conductor on the train I had just started riding home on. Anyway, right away I noticed he was a wonderful special person. I even tried to think of something nice to say to him in return. He will be missed on the train and anywhere else he went. RIP, Eric. I wish I would have said something when I had the chance.
I will miss him dearly. I always looked forward to seeing him in the morning, and when I worked late in the evening. He was always on the last train out from Union Station. Although, I never struck a conversation with him. He always said good morning and have a nice day to me as I got on and off the train. Just a very kind person. The trains rides just won't be the same without him.
I would LOVE to make a donation to a greyhound rescue organization in Eric's memory. Would anybody happen to know what program he and his wife worked through? If not, I will pick a local one. I think he would have liked that.
Mrs. Wolf, if you are reading this, my sincere condolences. Your husband was truly unique and always uplifting. Thanks for sharing him with all of us on the Camden Line.
The Camden Line will never be the same without Eric Wolf taking us to Balteemore!! RIP, Eric!!!
My train commute everyday will never be the same again.... every morning i'm looking forward to see Eric in the train.... greeting me good morning... asking me where am I the next day if he does'nt see me in the train... do you have your umbrella if its raining... watch your step when getting off the train... how was your weekend on mondays... enjoy your weekend on fridays and many more... cant believe that his gone..I will truly miss him... Its so sad in the train without him...so empty... thank you so much for everything ERIC...
Eric was a special person and based on these comments he put a smile on the faces of so many. His family has my sympathy and please know his life on this Earth brought much joy and laughter to the Camden riders. He will forever be in my heart. God Bless.
I am still in disbelief expecting Eric to be there in the morning. He always greeted me with "how are you" or "how you". I will miss the smile and the happiness that he brings even though most of us are caught up in the daily grind. May God rest his soul in peace!
I am very very shocked and saddened to know that Mr. Wolf passed away. I just came to know this morning from daily alert note about his funeral. I have been riding Camden line for about three years and take Camden 4:39Pm train way home. Who is going to announce clearly "This train does not stop at BWI airport". He always made sure that non-daily passenger does not get confused with Camden and Penn line.
Last week when we are waiting at Laurel station, he was sort of waving 'Final Goodbye' posture to us. I sensed this is how my Ma waved me last time I saw her.
What a wonderful pleasant personality he had!! I will be missing his smiley face and greetings every day. I will miss his hand helping me getting down from the 4.39 train at laurel station. May God keep his soul in peace!!
It's very sad about Eric, but I hope his family takes some comfort in knowing how well-liked he was by MARC train passengers. He was unfailingly friendly and upbeat. He had a dry sense of humor and he always had the slightest mischievous grin on his face. I was recently riding on the "quiet car" and Eric, at the request of one passenger, asked another passenger to stop talking on his cell phone. The cell phone user explained that the reason for his call was that his "buddy just had a baby." Eric simply said, "He did?" And everyone within earshot broke up.
RIP Eric!
You will be missed!!!
Eric you were a joy and your presence will be truly missed. RIP my friend.
My sincere condolences to Eric's wife and family.
I remember my first train ride on the Camden line three years ago. At the towering height of 4'9", he asked me if I was the star basketball player in high school followed by his signature smile. Needless to say, he always had a way to brighten my day.
As a true gentlemen with his heart of gold, he helped me on and off the train making sure I did not have to "sky dive" off onto the platform.
We have lost a great friend and heaven has gained a mighty angel!
After going to the 3pm viewing, it was a very sad time for me to say a final goodbye to ERIC. It was nice to see some MARC (Camden Line) conductors there-especially his great co-conductor Ronnie.
My condolences go out to Eric's wife & family through this difficult time.
I hope most of the Camden Line folks who know Eric will pay their respects to him.
He will be greatly missed & my daily commute will never be the same.
I am blown away by the sound of this news...I knew Eric for over 8 years...He was "Now Arriveeng – Bawdeemoore Camden Station – now arriveeng!”. Him and Ronnie Queen were the conductors on the Camden Line when I rode. Eric will be greatly missed and I appreciated his professionalism and humor during my commute to and from Washington DC....Blessings to his family!
Rev. Dr. M. Jamal Foster
I too, am very saddened to hear of Eric's sudden passing. He was a kind, friendly, and humorous man. God rest his soul, and my condolences to his immediate family and host of friends.
Wow, just saw this in the MARC newsletter. What a shock. I've been riding the MARC train for a decade, and often on the 849 train in the morning and the last Camden line train in the evening that Eric on. I tend to keep to myself and ride in the quiet car, as I'm come to rely on my MARC commute to get quiet work done. But Eric really stood out to me as the consummate professional with a great demeanor and love for his job. Without knowing him that well, he always gave me a nice greeting as I boarded the train and when he would come and collect my ticket. Because I don't ride the train every day, I would always get single tickets and occasionally would run out and not have time to purchase them before having to jump on the train. Eric would always allow me to give him my ticket the next time I see him, or purchase on the train w/o the penalty fee. Also I recently left a valuable item on the train, and sure enough, the next morning he had it with him and gave it to me before I could even get the words out to describe what it was. He just seemed like the type of guy that would do anything for you. He will be sorely missed.
I am saddened by the sudden passing of this wonderful, funny man. He will be missed. He brought a great deal of humor to my daily commute. His friends and family are in my thoughts.
I was disappointed to not be greeted by Eric this morning, and so saddened to learn of his death reading the MARC newsletter. I have only been riding the Camden line for about a year, but had already developed a great fondness for Eric and the playful and generous way he conducted the train.
Just a week or two ago a kid of maybe 15 jumped on the train in College Park without paying and sat slouching in the seat in front of me, trying to avoid detection. Eric followed him to his seat, and rather than threatening him asked "Do you have any Milk Duds?" As the young man expressed confusion, Eric Repeated clearly "Do you have any Milk Duds? The candy. I like Milk Duds." It was brilliant and will truly miss this sort of scene in my daily commute.
Ali B.
I too knew Eric Wolf, I rode the Camden line train from Laurel, MD to Washington, DC for eleven years before crossing over to the Penn Line. Eric was a pleasant person to deal with and quite the comedian. He will be truly missed. RIP...
I've only been riding the Camden line for the last year and a half, but I felt like I've known Eric for years. He was always upbeat and kind. I remember one evening riding the 4:39 out of DC, that as we approached the Riverdale Station, Eric had a new way of announcing the station. He busted out in his own version of a rap using the words, "Riverdale's next, Riverdale's next, move to the front, cuz Riverdale's next!" As the passengers looked at each other, we all started to laugh and Eric had this big smile on his face. That made my evening and a lot of others, too. He will surely be missed. My condolences go out to his family and friends. Thank you Eric for gracing us with your presence each day. God Bless
Eric was a professional to the core. He made the folks on the second to the last car on the 439PM train to Camden laugh so much. Each time he showed up in their end of the car, there was this explosion of laughter. His personality, jokes and pleasantness would be sorely (indeed sorely) missed on the MARC train.
OhmyGod. I've just found this out - I've been on vacation and immediately missed Mr. Wolf on the 7:35pm going home! I've only known him for 2 years but he made that trip home a lovely one every night. No matter how rough or awful my day was, when I heard Mr. Wolf say "This train does not go to de airport, thankYEEEW"....my world was all right.
God bless you, Mr. Wolf. Your train has surely stopped in Heaven, sir.
Hello, I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wish you best of luck for all your best efforts. passenger lift Delhi, Goods Lift.
Hello, I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wish you best of luck for all your best efforts. elevator manufacturer, passenger lift delhi.
Post a Comment