originally posted on 10/2/2020
Photo: Alan Shick. View full-sized image.
William E. Kae, known to ACEers as “Bill,” passed away at his home on September 10. Losing a battle with cancer, complicated by a few years of Lou Gehrig’s disease, Kae was a resident of the Buffalo, New York, area for most of his life, despite his disenchantment with the cold.
Kae was a historian. Among his accolades was being president of the Lower Lakes Marine Historical Society in downtown Buffalo. After serving in that role for eight years, he remained on the board of directors until his death. Through his efforts, the institution made a name change to the more welcoming Buffalo Harbor Museum. He authored two books that benefited the organization: The Buffalo Waterfront: A Pictorial History and Fire and Water: Disasters on the Buffalo Harbor and the Surrounding Waterfront.
Coaster enthusiasts who knew him well will recall his love of Crystal Beach (Ontario) and its renowned Comet. Kae’s expertise as a historian and author was on display through his four books on the park: Steamers of the Crystal Beach Line, Crystal Beach Live, Crystal Beach Park: A Century of Screams and Crystal Beach in Color, the last of which is a coffee table book.
His work and research collection are housed in the Ridgeway Historical Museum. His family has received emails from Kae’s research associates at the Ft. Erie Historical Society commenting on what his work meant to the community and how they found his books gratifying and consoling.
Friends will remember him for his smile and for being soft spoken. He will long be admired for his dedication for documenting history and keeping it alive. His efforts are an inspiration to all members, and he will be missed by all who knew him.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
@#$%&!
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