Retired SEPTA bus driver James J. McCloskey earned his sobriquet, the “Ironman of SEPTA,” after his last shift in 1994. His coworkers arranged a farewell event to celebrate the Broomall resident’s 45 years of uninterrupted service. Broadcast reporter Bill Baldini was covering the event when he came up with the moniker, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

McCloskey, who passed away in August, was a beloved family man and army veteran. He was 92 years old. His nephew, Joe Holden, described him as a “human Timex”.  

He launched his career in 1950 for the old Philadelphia Transportation Co., the same place his father worked. At a 1989 ceremony honoring McCloskey, SEPTA’s deputy general manager Howard H. Roberts Jr. said that he deserves hero status for his timeliness and dedication.  

“He deserves to be held up and looked up to by the rest of the organization,” said Roberts.  

However, retirement didn’t keep him from driving. McCloskey drove a school bus in Springfield and was even a private limousine driver. He dedicated the rest of his time to his family, and never missed a special occasion.  

McCloskey was living at the Sunrise of Newtown Square senior community at the time of his death.

Read more about James J. McCloskey in The Philadelphia Inquirer.