Hornell mom left with questions after son struck, killed by train in Big Flats

Former Hornell resident Timothy Galusha went to New York City to watch his favorite Major League Baseball team, the Detroit Tigers, play the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 6.

The trip to the Big Apple, which the 29-year-old took with his brother Christopher, also included a shopping excursion at a Harry Potter store, another favorite for Tim, who grew up in the Maple City and graduated from Alfred-Almond Central School in 2014.

It was a weekend to remember for the brothers, according to their mom, Jennifer Galusha of Hornell, and one she is grateful they were able to enjoy together.

One month later, Tim Galusha was hit by a train and killed as he walked to his job at Consumer Square in the Chemung County Town of Big Flats on Oct. 7.

Mom: 'The most careful kid I ever met'

The Chemung County Sheriff's Office said Galusha was struck shortly before 4 p.m. by a westbound Norfolk Southern train as he walked east behind the Simmons-Rockwell car dealership.

According to the sheriff's office, the conductor sounded the horn and hit the brakes but was unable to stop the train before it hit Galusha.

Investigators said Galusha had his head down and was wearing ear buds, suggesting he never heard or saw the approaching train.

Jennifer Galusha doesn't believe her son was walking on the tracks — he was cautious, she said, and did not take risks — but she acknowledges uncertainty about exactly what happened.

"That kid was the most careful kid that I have met," she said. “He walked that way (to work) because he felt safer than (walking) along the road.

"But he also liked the scenery. He would see deer and bears and turkeys. He was always taking a picture and sending them to me and his dad."

Could he have tripped, Jennifer Galusha wonders? Been knocked off balance somehow?

“I don't know," she said. "I know he was too close to the tracks. If he was further away, we wouldn’t be having this discussion."

More: Hornell man struck by train, killed while walking railroad tracks in Big Flats

Friends, softball teammates rally around family

According to family members, Galusha cheered on the NFL's Detroit Lions and the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and he enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing and playing softball.

In addition to Hornell, he lived for a time in Corning and Elmira, as well as attending school in Bath when he was young, his mom said.

The bonds he forged were shown to be strong in the wake of the crash.

Friends, co-workers and softball competitors have rallied with various efforts to support the family.

Donations to a GoFundMe page are being used to "help with the financial aspects of things in this very difficult time," according to organizer Shauna Starr.

Jennifer Galusha said her son's work colleagues are contributing their tips to help the family, while the Schuyler County Adult Softball League, where Timothy Galusha played infield and outfield for the Beer 30 team, has scheduled a Nov. 4-5 tournament in Savona to honor his memory.

“The amount of support from work and all of his friends, it’s just phenomenal," Jennifer Galusha said.

She described her son as “compassionate and understanding," a great listener, kind, and non-judgmental.

“He was a great kid. To have all of his co-workers and of his friends come up to me and tell me I raised a fantastic kid, that means a lot," she said.

Family, friends will celebrate Galusha's life on Oct. 20

In addition to his mom, Galusha is survived by his dad, Michael; siblings, Christopher, Tyler, Kellie and Brittany; his grandmother, Deborah Collins of Hornell; as well as a niece and two nephews.

He also leaves behind his cat, Twixie.

Funeral arrangement are by H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo, where the family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 20. A Celebration of Life will take place immediately following calling hours.

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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Alfred-Almond grad struck, killed by train remembered as 'great kid'