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RAILROAD PERSON OF THE YEAR
2025

Joe Cooney photo lightened.PNG

Joe Cooney
 

All Aboard: Meet Joe Cooney, Railroad Person of the Year 2025!

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Joe Cooney started working for Grand Trunk Western in 1970 on the water service department located on Oak and Brand Street, inside the old grocery house. He then moved to the engine house as a laborer and then a mechanic on diesel locomotives. This working arrangement suited him just fine, as his house is directly behind the site of the old roundhouse! He also has fond memories of playing on GTW Durand’s Softball teams during his time on the railroad.

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Many of his family members worked for GTW over the years, and it has been said that the Grand Trunk could have prepared, serviced, signaled, switched, conducted, and operated a train just with Cooneys! His Grandfather, Charles J. Cooney, Sr., worked at Durand Union Station for many years. After he lost his arm in a train accident in the early 1900’s, the Grand Trunk gave Charles a job at the Depot’s famous diamond as a crossing man. The wye that led into the yard from the main line was affectionately known as the “Cooney Wye.” His cousin, Jerry Chapman, is himself a former Railroad Person of the Year.

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Joe is a proud United States Marine and served our country during the Vietnam War. He currently serves local veterans in our community as the current Commander at the Durand VFW Post 2272. He has served in this role since 2018, and has been a lifetime member of the post since the 1970s. He enjoys hunting and being outdoors as much as possible.

The Cooney Railroad Family
Grandfather: Charles J. Cooney, Sr.
Father: Charles J. Cooney, Jr.
Uncles: Mike Cooney, Bob Cooney, Ed Cooney
Brothers: Bill Cooney, Tom Cooney
Brother-in-law: Monte Skeels
Cousins: Jerry Chapman (RRPOY), Bob Cooney II

DURAND UNION STATION, INC. Sponsor of the 2026 RAILROAD PERSON OF THE YEAR award is requesting nominations for this annual award. Nominations must be received no later than February 1st, 2026 at 10am, to be considered at the March 3rd meeting of the selection committee.
 
Nominations will not be accepted after this deadline. To qualify the individual nominated may presently be working, or must have worked, for a railroad company from our surrounding area. Community and church service will also be a consideration. More than one person may submit a nomination for a specific individual.
 
This year’s nominations, along with nominations from 2025, will be reviewed by the selection committee.
 
The person chosen for the 2026 Railroad Person of the Year award will receive a plaque at an Honoring Ceremony on Friday, May 18th, in the Durand Union Station ballroom. The Honoring Ceremony will be planned by committee members, and all news articles about the person selected as Railroad Person of the Year will also be the responsibility of the committee. The honoree will also ride in the Railroad Days Festival Parade on Saturday, May 16th.
 
Nomination forms may be dropped off in the office at the Depot or mailed to: Durand Union Station P.O. Box 106 Durand, MI 48429

RRPoY 2026
Nomination Form

Thank you for your nomination! The committee decides in February and will announce in March.

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