Honor Rolls

DiFulco ran steam, diesel

Fifty-year BLE member Jerome P. DiFulco of BLE Division 914 (New Orleans, La.) never missed a day in his 39-year career due to sickness or injury.

Brother DiFulco began his work-day streak on April 22, 1942, as a fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad. He was promoted to locomotive engineer on March 30, 1950. During his career, he ran both steam and diesel engines.

DiFulco joined BLE Division 693 on October 1, 1951, and served as an assistant chairman for many years.

During WWII, Brother DiFulco served in the 37th Infantry Division and received three Bronze Stars for his service in the Asia-Pacific theater.

He made his last run on April 22, 1981, and has spent the past 20 years fishing and watching football along with other activities with his wife Esther.

The DiFulcos live at: 8207 Jeannette St., New Orleans, La. 70118.

Photo caption: Brother J.P. DiFulco never missed a day in his 39-year railroad career due to injury or sickness. He's been a member of the BLE for the past 50 years.

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Two 50-year Brothers honored at Division 695 banquet

BLE Division 695 in Minot, N.D., recently held a banquet to honor two long-time members, Wallace R. Kline and Neil Davis, each with more than 50 years of BLE membership.

For 28 years of his 51 years in the BLE, Brother Wallace R. Kline served as secretary-treasurer of BLE Division 695 in Minot, N.D.

Brother Kline followed his father, an engineer for 54 years, into railroad service when he went firing in 1942 on the Great Northern Railroad. He was promoted to engineer on November 11, 1948, and he joined the BLE in 1950.

Brother Kline and his wife, Margaret, were married in 1948. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.

Brother Davis joined BLE Division 695 in 1950 and later served as its Chief Engineer.

Davis began his railroad career shoveling coal on the dock in Minot in 1937. He went firing on August 2, 1941 for the Great Northern Railroad and was promoted to engineer on June 10, 1948.

Brother Davis, a World War II railroad operating battalion member, retired from service as an Amtrak passenger engineer on December 1, 1982.

Since his retirement, Brother Davis and his wife of 51 years, Leila, have been traveling. The couple has two children and five grandchildren.

The Klines live at: 105 University Ave. E, Minot, N.D. 58703.

The Davis family lives at: 305 Hillcrest Dr., Minot, N.D. 58703.

Photo caption: From left: Kline and Davis

Warner had 'best job in the world'

Brother Walter W. Warner of BLE Division 157 (Cranford, N.J.) tells everyone he meets that before his retirement he "had the best job in the world." This year he celebrated his 41st year of BLE membership.

Brother Warner retired in 1991 after a 36-year railroad career. He hired out in 1955 as a fireman on the DL &WRR. He was promoted to locomotive engineer on May 21, 1960.

Warner joined the BLE in January of 1959 and, through the years, served Division 171 in the offices of Chief Engineer, Secretary-Treasurer and Local Chairman.

Brother Warner is also a proud veteran of eight and a half years in the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War.

In the 10 years since his retirement, Brother Warner has enjoyed scale model railroading, woodworking, reading, church activities and working around the house. He is also a member of the VFW in Greenwich, N.Y.

Warner and his wife, Dorothy, whom he married on October 25, 1951, have four children and four grandchildren.

The Warners live at: 3 Ranger Road, Schuylerville, N.Y. 12871.

Chase celebrates 49-years with BLE

Brother R. M. Chase of BLE Division 930 (Kansas City, Mo.) celebrated 49 years of BLE membership in 2001.

During World War II, Brother Chase worked at the Darby shipyard in Kansas City, Mo. Then, in 1945, the Army moved him to railroad service on the Milwaukee-Kansas City Southern Joint Agency. He worked in yard service on steam locomotives that were hauling Army goods. Chase calculates that during a 16 hour shift, he shoveled 30 tons of coal with a No. 2 scoop. He went firing on July 24, 1945 and was promoted to engineer by the KCS in 1955. He joined the BLE on October 19, 1952.

He made his last run on May 29, 1981. Since his retirement, Chase has been active with other retired railroad workers, meeting with them once a month.

Brother Chase and his wife, Lucille have two children.

Brother Chase lives at: 706 West Main St., Maysville, Mo. 64469.

Munger reached 56-year plateau

BLE Division 439 (Allston, Mass.) member G.C. Munger achieved 56 years of BLE membership prior to his death on July 22, 2001.

The Munger family has a long tradition of railroading. George was a fourth generation locomotive engineer, and the former local chairman and secretary-treasurer of BLE Division 439. His father was also once the local chairman and secretary-treasurer of BLE Division 439. Brother Munger joined the BLE on February 1, 1945. His two sons, G. J. (George) and William, are fifth generation railroaders who joined their father as members of BLE Division 439. George J. joined the BLE in 1971. William joined in 1977 and continues the family tradition as local chairman of Division 439.

Munger went firing in 1941 and earned his promotion to locomotive engineer in 1950. He made his last run on May 31, 1983.

For many years during his railroad career, Brother Munger played Santa Claus for children in Boston. His dedication was profiled in newspapers in the Boston area.

Brother Munger spent his retirement years enjoying the company of his wife, Rita and the rest of his family.

Mrs. Munger lives at: 102 Maplebrook Dr., Bellingham, Mass. 02019.

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© 2001 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers