CLEVELAND, April 17 — BLET Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman J.F. “Jim” Ong died on Saturday, April 15, after a four month battle with cancer. Brother Ong was 62 years old.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; three children, J.J. Ong, Jennifer Ong and Heather Lutz; three grandchildren, Harris Ong, Mallory Ong and Ben Worley; two brothers, John Ong 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 to 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 in the state of Ohio. He was involved in all of the major legislative and election campaigns that the Brotherhood worked on.”
Brother Ong was the last fireman ever hired by the Penn Central Railroad. He later earned promotion to locomotive engineer at the Penn Central. Later, as a Conrail engineer, he worked in terminals throughout the system, 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 lobbyist in the state, with his office located in Columbus. He was a member of the BLET’s National Association of State Legislative Board Chairmen and served as vice chairman for the 17-state Northeast Region. He was responsible for coordinating legislative efforts among the states in that region.
In addition to his work for the BLET, he was involved in the National Association of Veteran Railroad Employees and the Masons. For the past 25 years, he and his wife have operated 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 laugh will be missed. He was well-known for his storytelling ability and was always quick with a joke and willing to lend a helping hand.
Calling hours for Brother Ong are tomorrow (Tuesday, April 18) from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home in Dennison, Ohio (26 Grant Street, Dennison, Ohio 44621). His funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 19, at 11 a.m. 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.)