Van Ritshie, LIRR’s ‘iconic’ voice dies: ‘This is the train to…Ronkonkoma’

Van Ritshie, a longtime voice actor who recorded several commercials for the Long Island Rail Road, died Nov. 3 at age 80, according to his family.

The Astoria, Queens native worked in the radio and voice-over industry for more than 50 years. When the Long Island Rail Road rolled out its fleet of M7 trains in the early 2000s, Ritshie’s rich baritone voice led him to record LIRR station announcements, the railroad confirmed Tuesday.

Over more than two decades, millions of LIRR riders became familiar with Ritshie’s voice as it let them know, “This station is Mineola.” Ritshie also did voice work for the LIRR’s sister railroad, Metro-North.

“I’m the voice of the MTA,” Ritshie said in a YouTube video 13 years ago. “I’ve had the good fortune and good fortune to be the voice of many national companies.”

On social media X, Governor Kathy Hochul wrote that “For decades, his messages brought a familiar presence and comfort to commuters across New York.”

The LIRRs official social media account written, “‘This is the train to…Ronkonkoma.’ RIP to Van Ritshie, the iconic voice behind the automated announcements on our M7 trains.”

During a 50-year career, Ritshie also lent his voice talents to other recognizable brands, including the Golf Channel and McDonalds, and also worked at several radio stations in New York’s Hudson Valley, according to his family.

In an obituary shared on the website of the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie, where he lived, Ritshie’s family said he died “after a brief illness.”

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Alfonso Castillo has reported for Newsday since 1999 and covered the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.