Obituary of Michael E. Warren

Michael E. Warren, 78, of Toms River, NJ, passed away peacefully with family at his side on September 12, 2024, at Ocean University Medical Center, Brick. Michael was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 12, 1946, to Benjamin and Helen Warren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Dorothy Lasala. Michael is survived by his loving wife of twenty years, Mary Warren (nee Arnot), his sons and grandchildren by his first wife, Eleanor Tanzella (nee Rosko); Terence and his wife, Stephanie, and their son Benjamin, Terry’s children, Samantha, Michael and his wife Kayleigh (nee Soucy), Christina and her husband Joseph Pipher, Christopher and his wife, Dr. JoAnn Garcia-Warren and their children, James and Lia, stepson, Robert Kennedy and his daughter, Grace. Michael is also survived by his caring dear sister, Mary Warren of Saint Augustine, Florida. Michael grew up in NY and attended Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens, NY. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in October 1966 serving in the famed, “Fighting Sixty-Ninth” 69th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army and was honorably discharged in June 1971 as an SP4. Mike took great pride serving in the Fighting Sixty-Ninth as evidenced by his tattoo of the same. Michael and his first wife, Eleanor, married and moved to NJ in 1968 to raise their sons settling in Fords, Lakewood then Toms River, NJ. Michael had an avid love of trains since childhood which later became a cornerstone of his life’s achievements. Michael’s railroad career of thirty-two years began in 1968 as a Fireman and later promoted to Locomotive Engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Mike took great pride in running the famed, “GG1” locomotives, some of which can still be found at the Railroad Museum in Lancaster County, PA. He later worked for Conrail running freight trains then completed his career at Amtrak where he operated AEM7’s and the high-speed Acela train from NYC to Washington, DC. It wasn’t uncommon for Michael to meet and befriend notable public figures, celebrities, and US Presidents. Michael was a highly respected Locomotive Engineer and helped evaluate new high-speed locomotives. Michael was a strong advocate for workers’ rights and held several elected union positions in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers serving as Local Chairman Division 53 and later, General Secretary Treasurer. The friendships Michael made during his career on the railroad lasted a lifetime. Michael was a founding member of the Shamrock and Thistle Pipes and Drums bagpipe band, Toms River, NJ in 1974. Their unmistakable dress MacLeod yellow and black kilts were on the front page of many newspapers with Michael helping lead the way. It was also there where Michael made lifelong friendships and eventually met his second wife, Mary. Michael was a life member at Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Dept, Toms River, NJ where he served as Fire Police alongside his wife, Mary, and with fellow family firefighters including son, Terry, and grandson, Michael. He enjoyed volunteering his time for fundraising efforts, especially the Annual Chicken BBQs and Pancake Breakfasts. This was another place Michael felt welcome and made lifelong friendships. For the last ten years, “Mr. Mike” was a crossing guard for Toms River Township Police supporting Cedar Grove Elementary and East Dover Elementary Schools, Toms River, NJ. Pop, Pops, Pop Pop, Mike, Uncle Mike, Mikey, Mr. Mike, Rocky, The McCrimmon, he was well loved by many and known by many names. Mike was kind, selfless, loving, and fair. He held a firm handshake and was a man of principal. He was a tough negotiator and could be intimidating when needed but his heart was big and his love was plenty. Mike had a great sense of humor and was fond of a good one liner and enjoyed episodes of Benny Hill, The Three Stooges, and Laurel and Hardy. His smile was infectious as was the twinkle in his eye. To know him was to love him. Mike especially cherished his family and friends, his pups Piper and Mia, loved a good single malt whiskey, was an avid “car guy”, enjoyed trains, bagpipes, history, the military, fishing, doo-wop music, science fiction, a great meal, and Appletini’s. Mike was a man of the people and loved you all as much as you loved him back. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 2 – 5 pm at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Michael’s honor to Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Dept., 40 Clayton Ave., Toms River, NJ 08755.