Details below:
https://railfan.com/railway-preservationist-and-former-rr-associate-editor-mike-del-vecchio-passes/

Mike was the person who got me into the train world. He was a welcoming, positive, can-do guy and a true gentleman. I had the opportunity to be present on 8-13 at a gathering for Mike and he spoke directly and eloquently on his love for preservation and the timeline of his illness. Some people were recording. I hope they post his talk for everyone in rail preservation to listen to. What struck me most was his comment on his positive approach to all things rail. He said whether he was photographing, publishing, running an organization, or doing a restoration, it was all fun. He was just having fun.

Mike was one of the "good guys". Laid back, friendly and funny.
I met him when he and Tom Kelcec joined us (1522) on a trip to Topeka, KS for their annual RR Days celebration in 1996.
He was with R&R and became a good friend to the SLSTA and personal friend to me. We stayed in touch over the years and I knew of his illness. I didn't know how bad it was until I saw a recent photo of him. When we would chat, he was very low key about it.
He will be missed by the many people he was known by.
Prayers to Christine and his family.

The October issue of Railpace arrived yesterday with a nice tribute to Mike written by Richard J. King. He reports that Connecticut's Naugatuck Railroad operated a tribute train in Mike's honor prior to his death.

Here is the remembrance in Railpace very nicely done by Richie King:

https://railpace.com/mike-del-vecchio-a-champion-of-rail-preservation/