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Osmond Cummings Obituary
He was born in Newburyport, Mass., on May 17, 1923.
He was the son of Orrin E. and Mary (Audley) J. Cummings and was a resident of the Newburyport-Amesbury-Salisbury, Mass., area for more than 30 years.
He was a 1940 graduate of Amesbury High School, attended Bates College for two years and graduated from the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, now Bentley College, in 1948. He was employed by the Newburyport Daily News as a reporter from 1948 to 1956 when he joined the newsroom staff of the New Hampshire Union Leader.
He was a copy editor at the time of his retirement in January 1987.
Cummings served in the U.S. Coast Guard for three years during World War II and in the U. S. Navy for nearly a year during the Korean war. He was a member of Manchester Post 79, American Legion; Washington Lodge, 61, F &AM, and the Manchester Historic Association.
As an avocation, Cummings wrote and published many histories of the New England street railway systems.
He was a longtime member of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, Inc., owner of the Seashore Trolley Museum at Kennebunkport, Maine, and served a term as chairman of its board of trustees.
He also belonged to the 470 Railroad Club of Portland, Maine, Mass. Bay Division, Railroad Enthusiasts, the Boston & Maine Historical Society, the Boston Street Railway Association, the Central Electric Railfans Association, the Shore Line Interurban Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum lnc.
His nearest relatives are three first cousins.
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SERVICES: There will be no calling hours or funeral, and his ashes will be scattered at the Seashore Trolley Museum after cremation.
Memorial donations may be made to the Endowment Fund of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society, lnc., P. O. Box A, Kennebunkport, ME 04046.
The McHugh Funeral Home of Manchester is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be offered at www.mchughfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Osmond Cummings
Stephen P. Carlson
January 22, 2013
O.R. was both a pioneer and an inspiration to historians of New England trolley lines. His works remain as the basic histories of the lines he covered. He was also always open to helping fellow historians in their efforts. He will be missed.
January 22, 2013
OR's passing leaves a large hole in the rail fans world. His passion and knowledge will be sorely missed. Our condolences to his family.
Paul and Gladys Kehoe, John and Judy (Kehoe)Fox, Steve Kehoe
Doug Carrier
January 19, 2013
O.R. the museum has lost one of the most knowledgeable minds for knowing where streetcars operated, we will miss you sir. I am honored to have known you and conversations with you. Go join Teddy boss, George Sanborn and others.
January 19, 2013
You had a great love for trains, you served as engineer, brakeman & conductor, now you can ride first class forever. You were a wonderful & kind neighbor. We will all miss you.
The Legasse's
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January 18, 2013
Our sincere condolences to Dick's family and friends. We were neighbors for thirty-eight years and always enjoyed his many conversations. Dick certainly was knowledgeable and loved to reminisce. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Ray & Dolores Murphy
Corey Lyons
January 18, 2013
Cousin Dick was a good man and friend. He will be missed. God bless you.
January 18, 2013
dick yo were a great neighbr & we will miss you
John Arico
January 17, 2013
He always was willing to answer a question and tell you a great story. He will be missed.
Dwight Conant
January 17, 2013
Dick used to call me "cousin." We were distant cousins, the parts of our families who were in Berlin, NH in the early 1900s. His mother and my grandmother visited often. I enjoyed knowing Dick and he helped me with family genealogy. Go in peace, cousin...
Media Services
January 17, 2013
So sorry to hear of Mr. Cummings passing. He was a wonderful historian. We were fortunate enough to videotape an interview with him for our town in the early 90's, which is to this day an invaluable resource for those interested in the trolley system in the Merrimack Valley.
January 17, 2013
A real gentleman and friend. He was open to anyone and eager to educate to the best of his efforts.
Tom and Kelly Ford
The Staff of McHugh Funeral Home
January 17, 2013
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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McHugh Funeral Home & Cremation Service283 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH 03104-4920
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