Allan F. Seebach, Jr., 62, of Tappan, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2020. Beloved husband of the late Norma (nee Rufo). Cherished father of Allan F. Seebach, III, Kristyn Gelhaus and her husband Thomas, Matthew and Amanda. Loving son of Allan and Mary Seebach. Proud grandfather of Allan IV, Thomas, Joseph, Michael and Emma. Dear brother of John and wife Marsha, Michael and wife Vanessa, Candy Clay and husband Timothy and William. He is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.
Allan was owner of The Old and Weary Car Shop in Tappan. He was superintendent of greens at Blue Hill Golf Course. Allan was a member of the O&W Historical Society. He had also worked at Rockland Country Club for many years. Al was a devoted life member of the Tappan Fire Department for 44 years. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle and a loyal friend to all. He will be dearly missed.
Funeral services are private. A proper celebration of Allan’s life will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s memory may be made to Direct Relief at www.directrelief.org.
pizzifuneralhome.com
I first met Al in 1984 at Red Pump Nursery and he was the one who introduced me to the O&W and the O&WRHS. It was at my first O&W meeting that I met John Pavelchak and later Carl Ohlsen. We became inseparable for the next ten years until I moved to Florida and I have so many great memories of the times the four of us were together riding the roadbed especially on the Scranton Division. Al was a visionary who had a can do attitude about everything and it was through his persistence that the Society sponsored successful railfan trips via the Susquehanna and DO, rented the space for the Archives after Ray Wood passed, arranged and picked up personally all the Cornelll collection and transported it to Middletown. He and I served as co-editors for the Observer for those years and it was Al who convinced me to serve as President for a number of years in the late 80s and early 90s. The following picture is of Carl Ohlsen, John Pavelchak, myself, Al and George Shammas taken at the Colonial Diner having our traditional breakfast after the monthly Society meeting. Godspeed, my friend. You are missed and will be missed. Thanks for the honor of your company and having you as a friend. You made me a better person.
My heart is broken and I will miss you beyond belief. You were so many things to so many people but you will always be my biggest big brother. Soar with the angels my brother I love you always.
Al. You will be greatly missed.
Sincere condolences to all the Seebach family. Dude, Paul and I will remember the good times we had bowling. Truly saddened as this virus now has a face. Praying for peace & comfort for the family, Tony Carrozza
You will be missed Allan. You family loves you dearly.
My parents , your grandparents and your Uncles and Aunts are in heaven with you now.
RIP
I cannot think of a more personable gentlemen who became a good friend to me. His everyday demeanor when I would see him at Morgan’s was always so positive, always a smile, so genuine.
This is a tragic loss for all that new and admired Al. He will be sorely missed. RIP my good friend.
Dear Seebach Family,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you! We know how important each one of you were to him, and how much Al loved all of you!
As a friend you couldn’t have a better one then Al, he made you feel like family. Allan was the rare person who always lent a helping hand to anyone who asked.
He will be greatly missed but never forgotten!
We pray for strength and peace for all of you!
Al Inspired me to get into trains to enjoy the hobby. I will always remember him the impact he had on me. I will never forget his generous prices at his store and kindness.
I don’t know what to say really. I can’t believe you are gone and I know it will take me a very long time to believe it. I miss you so much it hurts. You have touched so many lives and the outpouring of love and support from so many people just shows how truly amazing you were. I’m so heartbroken. Life will never be the same. I miss you so much daddy and I will love and miss you every day for the rest of my life.
We were all shocked to hear of Al’s passing. Al was an active member of the Hudson Valley Golf Course Superintendent’s Association for over 20 years. He was a kind gentle soul and we will miss him at our meetings. Our condolences to the Seebach family.
The HVGCSA Membership.
Rest In Peace Al. I am going to miss our train conversations. Always learned something new. Loved Red Pump Junction then the Old & Weary Train Shop.
You will be missed
Allan you were a good soul who left us way to soon. Your loss has made this all to real for so many of us who knew you. I will always remember your love of BHGC and your fabulous trains! Fly high my friend straight into the arms of God and Norma. Rest in Peace, J
Allan was a good soul and left us way to soon. His passing has made this so real for all who knew him. I will always remember his love for BHGC and those fabulous trains❣ Fly high my friend straight into the arms of God and Norma. Rest in Peace, Judi
So The Boy From Tappan met The Girl From Ipanema From Tappan. And off we went. He became my Honey after Norma. We left Morgan’s one night, he held my hand, and we crossed the train tracks. I knew I could trust him. So strong, handsome, dear, caring. There was something calm, sensual, yet so powerful that drove me so in love with him. His bravery, yes, he jumped into an airplane with me to go visit Brazil last year, adventures and memories he cherished deeply. We all know how passionate he was of every project he would just throw himself into, heart always leading the way. There was never a simple project, he aimed perfection at all times. Still can’t believe I will only see him again in my dreams and when we meet up in the sky. “Even though you did not want this to happen, you have to accept, dear Alejandro, that your time to rest arrived….. love you”
I thank God for giving me you my son. Life will never be the same without you. I love you and will miss you with every breathe I take. Love, Mom
To Allan…who helped me grow in confidence from a kid to a young woman and to his family, who always embraced me with unconditional love! I send my prayers and love to all of you. Debra
Allan, Kristen, Matt, Amanda– Deepest condolences. I’m so sorry for such a monumental loss. He was far too young. There aren’t any words that do such deep grief justice. Sending love and light from GA
Anyone who knew Al, knows he was always willing to help anyone. I didn’t find out until recently but there is a go fund me to help. I would just like to help the way Al helped everyone. Al will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/relief-for-the-seebach-family
I just found out about this. I’m so sad. I always chatted with him in Morgan’s. I have known him as long as I can remember. I’m so sorry I’m so late. My hearts heavy. I was so looking forward to seeing him again at Morgan’s.
I’m deeply sadden by this terrible news… I’ve known Al for over 20 years through the Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society… A passionate hardworking individual who was a wonderful inspiration to all, Al was a driving force with the preservation of this wonderful bit of industrial history of America… My condolences go out to his family & close friends… I’m sure Al is in great company now searching out the stories from lost O&W employees in the past… Miss you Al, still wishing you the best…
Al was a fantastic friend. He was always there when he was needed and everyone loved him. I’m so very very sad to learn of his passing by happenstance after a period of not hearing back from him. Sending my sincere condolences to all of his loved ones. We are all better for having known him.
Sorry I’m late for this, but I am truly saddened to hear of Mr. Seebach’s passing. I can’t say I knew him well at all but I certainly knew of his “Old and Weary Car Shop.” I always made it a point to pay the shop a visit on my trips up north and always found a welcome from Al, a true gentleman of the old school and a great proprietor of a great train store, one of the best.
My sincere condolances to the Seebach family. Al was a hero to the hobby, and he will be sorely missed.
I was an occasional visitor to Al’s wonderful model train store. He used to let me bring my little white dog into the store – He didn’t mind. He was a wonderful fellow and kind soul and was encyclopedic in his knowledge of trains. He had made a magic hobby shop that was a throwback to my childhood. It was a great place to visit and say hello.
I know he is in a better place. He will be dearly missed!. God be with you, Al….
So today my son Gavin and I passed by the Old and Weary Car Shop. We had some errands to do and was looking forward to stopping in or at least to look in the window. We were so saddened and in shock. My son and I have gone in since he was a little one and he is 12. If the trains on the Train table were not on, Al would always turn them on. We bought trains from him that has brought so much joy and has been very much a part of my son’s childhood and traditions. Often we would stop in if my son had a bad day or just felt like talking about trains.. Ide say hey let’s go see Al at the train place! It was not just a place to buy trains. He was always so kind and loved talking golf too with my son. He will be greatly missed…our best to all those who are mourning his presence on this earth. We miss you Al…..
Our Dear Friend,
Everyone wishes they could have said goodbye. If I had the chance I would have told you that you made the world a better place. I would have tanked you for being such a good friend to the “knucklehead”. He misses you dearly! I do too.
I don’t know why but I know how this happened and I wish I could do something about it, but it wouldn’t change what happened. We miss u and your laugh.
One year ago today you were called to Heaven. The last year has been horrible! The world was a better place with you in it! You are greatly missed by all!
I met Al Seebach as a customer of the Red Pump Nursery. I joined the O&W Historical Society last year and was surprised to see his Biography in my first issue of the “Observer”. We recently had the 2022 O&W Historical Society Convention and Allan was Honored in Pictures and Memories and then a Minute of Silence was dedicated to him.
I had purchased a number of O Gauge Trains from him, but had never run them as when we moved upstate from the Bronx in 1990, we had the track, but not the room to set them up. It is set up now, and last night I ran an O&W F Unit pulling many of the boxcars we got from him – 32 years later, they ran great! Thanks Al – you were one of a kind!