The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) honored the legacy of John P. LaForce, a 58-year agency employee who died in November 2012, at ceremonies June 1 during the 21st Annual APTA International Rail Rodeo at the SEPTA Fern Rock Maintenance Facility. SEPTA named the signal tower at Fern Rock the LaForce Signal Tower in his memory.

LaForce was a Philadelphia transit employee long before SEPTA existed; he began working as a streetcar operator for the former Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) in January 1954. Over the years, he moved up through the ranks at PTC and SEPTA, holding positions as a bus, subway, and trolley operator, signals specialist, chief engineer of power, and deputy chief engineering
officer.

“John was beloved within the SEPTA family and widely respected within the industry,” said Deputy General Manager Jeff Knueppel. “He didn’t know the meaning of ‘I can’t’ and, even after an almost 60-year tenure at SEPTA, he was still on the first train in the morning to come to the office. He loved working at SEPTA.”

SEPTA unveiled a plaque that will be placed on the LaForce Signal Tower during the rodeo. Four generations of the LaForce family attended the ceremony: John’s wife Diane, daughter Donna, granddaughter Jessica, and great-granddaughter Skylar. Also present were SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey, APTA Chair Flora Castillo, and APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy.

“We could never imagine an entire building being dedicated in John’s honor,” said Jessica. “This means the world to our family.”

Jessica brought a quilt she made from her grandfather’s tie collection. The quilt includes two of John’s favorite sayings: “It’s been a good run” and “It’s not how you fall but how you get up.”

SEPTA will auction the quilt at a golf outing, with the proceeds supporting the education of another engineer. “This way, someone else can have a part of John,” Jessica added.

Photo by Gary G. Schempp Photography Participants in naming ceremonies for the LaForce Signal Tower include, from left, Diane, wife of the late John LaForce; family friend Bob Egre; John’s daughter Donna and great-granddaughter Skylar; SEPTA Chief Engineering Officer of Communications and Signals Mike Monestero; SEPTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Knueppel; John’s granddaughter Jessica; and SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey.