IN MEMORIAM: Stephen C. Arnold, 65;
Spent Career Working For Railroads
COOPERSTOWN – Stephen Craig Arnold, 65, of New Berlin, Cooperstown, and Hancock, who spent his career in railroads, died at his home in New Berlin on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017.
Steve was born in Hancock, Delaware County, to Frederick O. and Anne (Wilkinson) Arnold. He grew up in Hancock and graduated from Hancock High School. He attended SUNY Delhi and SUNY Oswego.
Steve was a railroad man all of his adult life. He started with the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, and later worked for Conrail; New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad in Cooperstown; Montreal, Maine & Atlantic; New Hampshire North Coast; and Finger Lakes Railroad & Railworks. He was a federally certified railroad track inspector and operated his railroad consulting business, Shortline Solutions LLC, for the last five years of his career.
Steve was an outdoorsman — he loved to deer hunt and fly fish. Never one to sit still, he started another business during retirement making “campfire phantoms” with his sawmill and chain saw. His customers ranged from the Kittery Trading Post in Maine to the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes areas. They all became friends.
Steve’s true joy was his family. He embraced fatherhood and being “Baba” to his eight grandchildren. From sitting on the porch swing with them during rain storms to taking hikes, he was always sharing his love of nature and instilling age-old wisdom and values.
The world is a better place because he lived. He has left a large footprint and we are all better for it! He will be missed by so many.
Steve is survived by his wife, Kathleen Ayers Arnold, and their children, Kirsten Arnold; Katie Arnold Bidwell (John) and grandsons Joshua and Ian; Kara Arnold Hill (Brendan); Tyler Lee (Kerry Shelby) and grandson Jasper; Justin Lee (Veronica) and grandsons Gunner and Cash; Kristina Hill (Bradley) and grandchildren Brittan, Coltan, and Gracyn; and Chase Lee. He is also survived by his sister Kathy Arnold of Wells, Maine, her children Chad and Kelli Burtch and Mariah Fuller Weddington; and his brother Fred’s children, Frederick (Michelle) and Christina Arnold. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Fred.
Donations in Steve’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908; or Lustgarten Foundation, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite O, Woodbury, NY 11797; or Chenango County Hospice, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at 6050 St. Hwy 80 Lake Road (McGown/Zeek residence). A reception to celebrate Steve’s life will follow. Burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown.
Arrangements are with Tillapaugh Funeral Home of Cooperstown.
