Michael Enos ... engineer on Dover-Boston gravel train; at 74

ROCHESTER - For 74 years, 6 months and 3 days, Michael Allan Enos was a gift to all that knew him. He was born in Gloucester, Mass., Austin and Elinor (Lane) Enos on June 4, 1950. Michael cherished his parents, siblings, friends, wife, four daughters, and grandchildren.

At 4 years old, Michael was in awe of the train. His father, a lifelong locomotive engineer, stood nearby when an older engineer showed Michael what to do to move the engine. Once Michael realized he was able to drive the train, a railroad engineer was born.

In the Summer of '69, Michael met Theresa in her hometown of Mechanicville, NY. They married on Nov. 21, 1970. They lived in Lanesville, Plum Island and Amesbury, Mass. Everyone that knew him remembers his light blue Chevy van with the curtains and push-out windows. That van was the first of many. During these years the family spent their time at Walnut Grove Campground in Alfred, Maine. This is where his love of camping was born. So much so, in 1987, Michael and his family purchased Pleasant Valley Campground on Tickle Naked Pond in Vermont. He loved to entertain by hosting beauty contests and playing Santa during Christmas in July. In the store, Michael could be seen with his dog that he rescued named Pretty Girl, who always remained loyal to him. While running the campground he continued to work on the Guilford Railroad.

In the early '90s, Michael and Theresa relocated to Dover, where he finished out his career on the railroad. His daughters would go to the Rose Farm or Dover Delight to wave to their dad as he drove the gravel train when his route went from Dover to Boston.

Michael was also an incredible photographer and won several ribbons at the Rochester Fair.

There was nothing fake or fancy about him and it made his soul that much more beautiful. He kept the people in his life laughing with his incredible sense of humor, including those that didn't know him when he broke out into different characters in public. Even though he had a silly sense of humor, Michael had respect, compassion, class and integrity, always did the "right thing" and held himself and others accountable.

Michael selflessly helped anyone in need, often driving across states to support his family and friends. If he was a character in a book, he'd be a giving, loving soul, much like Shel Silverstein's book "The Giving Tree." He took in others like they were his own. When you were with Mike, you knew you were loved and safe.

Michael was lucky to achieve his dream of traveling across the country with Theresa twice. Grammy and "Pa" spent many summers taking their grandchildren camping, cycling, exploring and hiking. He and Theresa loved to take 20-mile bike rides in various states, with one of his favorites being the carriage trails in Acadia National Park.

Michael was a foodie! Many of his daughters' friends still remember the giant breakfasts Michael would make, especially his famous pancakes. In fact, he loved making breakfasts so much, he always said he should open a breakfast place and call it "Smudgy Bills," which would offer menu items with silly names such as Belly Button Furp. There weren't too many pizzas that Michael didn't like. You could call him a pizza connoisseur, with Tripoli's in Salisbury being his favorite. In fact he introduced his daughters to Tripoli's at a very young age and they can never have a slice without thinking of him. Let's not even mention Chinese food buffets. You could see Michael hopping over empty chairs as he sprinted for the buffet before the server even got to the table to take the order.

After retiring in 2009, Michael and Theresa later moved to Round O, South Carolina where they spent time traveling and enjoying the surrounding area. After 7 years, New England and their family called them back where they resided in Rochester closer to family.

While living in South Carolina, Michael still burned with the passion for telling stories and the railroad. That's when his two books were created. He wrote "The Railroad was Our Lives" and "I am the Train." His family and friends grew up hearing the railroad stories told from his heart; now others can read them, getting to know the people that influenced the love for his craft, being a locomotive engineer.

When his daughters reminisce about their childhood, they often talk about rolling around in the back of the tan station wagon on the way to Hampton Beach as the radio played songs from the '70s. His musical taste lives on with his family. When his daughters spend time together they can be found singing "dad songs" and playing his favorite bands.

Michael held many hands of the people he loved as they passed on from this life. And we were so lucky to have done that for him. Michael passed away on Jan. 7, 2025, with his wife and four daughters holding him. This loss will be felt in ripples across the waves of people that were impacted by knowing him.

Michael is survived by his bride of 54 years, Theresa (Callahan) Enos of Rochester, and his four daughters and their families: Susan, husband Jim and son Aidan; Sandy, her significant other Bryan, children Jordan and Peter and grandchild Amara; Sharon, husband Harley and son Harley; and Sara, husband Deron and children Aubrey, Adrian and Jayden. He is also survived by brother Scott and wife Jane, nephews Daniel and Brian and niece Caroline; sister Pamela Ponder, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Michael is predeceased by his loving parents, Austin and Elinor Enos and Theresa's parents, Francis and Mary Callahan.

The love we have for you is so strong; it will still exist far longer than the last star that burns out.