News – TWU 100 Retirees

Retirees Ask Help for TWU Central Park Horse Carriage Driver

jgannon — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:15:25 +0000

TWU Local 100 member and Central Park Horse Carriage driver Nurettin Kirbiyik recently lost his beloved horse, Deniz, who died after eating a poisonous Yew plant thoughtlessly planted along the carriage route in the Park by the Central Park Conservancy. After eating the plant, Deniz apparently went into cardiac arrest and passed away. A necropsy performed by Cornell University confirmed that the yew plant was the cause, and the report found substantial yew material inside Deniz, enough to be lethal. Our brother union member, Nurettin, is heartbroken. Deniz was family to him, and he is deeply grieving her loss. Supporters have started a GoFundMe page to help Nurettin file a lawsuit against the Conservancy for their reckless actions. The fact that the Conservancy has been trying for years to rid the Park of the Carriage Horses makes this case even more tragic. The Retirees Association endorses this GoFundMe effort and asks that you consider donating to the cause. Click here to find out more.

Clyburn Sowell, 101, Passes Away

jgannon — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 02:09:01 +0000

The Retirees Association sadly announces the passing of long-standing member Clyburn Sowell. He passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, according to his devoted daughter, Valeria.

Brother Sowell was 101 years old, and had been honored with a standing ovation at the Association’s Holiday Party in December 2025.

He led a life of service to America as a member of the U.S. Navy in World War II, and to the City of New York as a veteran transit worker who never took a day off from work. He was a loyal member of his union and this Association.

Arrangements for Brother Sowell are posted here.

Plainview Fire Dept. Honors Ex. Bd. Member Frank Rosato With Procession

jgannon — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:31:55 +0000

The Plainview, NY Fire Department honored RA Executive Board Member Frank Rosato with a procession through town of his casket atop a fire engine. The Department lined the street outside the firehouse with a giant American flag, and fellow firefighters standing in salute.

Frank dedicated 35 years of service to the Department as a Firefighter, Fire Captain and Commissioner.

Brother Rosato died on Sunday morning, May 31, 2026, at Plainview Hospital on Long Island.

He started with TWU Local 100 as an active member of the former Queens Private Bus Lines as a Bus Operator for Steinway Transit in Astoria, NY. He was the elected Vice Chair of Transportation until Steinway was merged with Queens Transit in 1986. He retired in 2004 after 33 years as a devoted member and officer of the union.