It’s a quiet but profound sorrow that’s settled over the town of Albion. On Wednesday afternoon, 78-year-old Paul Fulcomer, a longtime local whose kindness and motorcycle enthusiasm were well known, lost his life when his bike collided with a car at the intersection of East County House Road and State Route 98.
According to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Christopher Bourke, Fulcomer was travelling westbound on East County House Road when he failed to stop at a stop sign where the road meets Route 98. He entered the intersection as a vehicle headed northbound approached, and a collision followed. The force of the impact sent both vehicles off the roadway, ultimately coming to rest on the lawn of a nearby home.
Responders from Mercy Ambulance, Mercy Flight, and the Albion Fire Department rushed in and attempted life-saving measures at the scene, but Fulcomer was pronounced dead there by the Orleans County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the other vehicle was unhurt.
Investigators say the crash remains under active review. Authorities have not yet released information regarding whether speed, alcohol or drugs were factors. The New York State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is assisting in the investigation.
Beyond the grim facts of the crash, Fulcomer’s life in the Albion community had touched many. He served for 13 years as director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, retiring in November 2015. Even in retirement, he stayed active in veterans’ causes and was remembered as a humble, warm-hearted fellow who could often be seen riding his bike on sunny afternoons.
Neighbours and friends say he embodied the freedoms he cherished: the open road beneath the wheels, the nod of a friendly wave, and the solid presence of someone who cared. On the motorcycle rides, he found joy; in his community work, he found purpose. The suddenness of his passing has left a void in both circles.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s office extended condolences to Fulcomer’s family and loved ones while urging all motorists to maintain vigilance at intersections—a reminder that tragedies sometimes occur in the blink of an eye. As the community mourns, Albion reflects on a man whose life reached far beyond the crash scene: the rider, the veteran advocate, the friend.
And plans are now being made to honour his memory—a fitting tribute for someone who gave so much.