George Henry Long of Middlebury died peacefully at home on Thursday, March 24, 2016. He was born in Naugatuck, Conn., March 9, 1928, to Isabelle (King) Long and Walter Henry Long. He was predeceased by his wife, Leone (Halstead) Long.
George lived most of his life in Middlebury, He was a constable for the Middlebury Police Department in the 1940s and 50s. From his late teens until 1951, he drove trucks and heavy equipment for George Richards, the Peterson family and, lastly, Steve Malione. He drove a school bus in Middlebury for Tom Judd from 1951 to 1953, when he purchased the Bus Company, which he owned until 1956. He was a Middlebury volunteer fireman from the 1940s until 1957, when he retired as a captain and honorary member. He worked at Westover School in Middlebury, first as an assistant superintendent and then superintendent from 1956 until 1973. He then worked for LF Powers Mobil, driving an 18-wheeler oil tanker until his retirement in 1990.
He was an avid bowler who participated in the Middlebury Mixers for many years and enjoyed camping with his family especially on Hermit Island in Maine. He was active in the Lions Club for many years. He also enjoyed singing and participated in a choral group and in variety shows. He loved to whistle and sing traditional hymns at church and was a proud longtime member of the Middlebury Congregational Church, having joined in 1946. He spent his retirement years in Englewood, Fla., and Dennisport, Cape Cod, prior to returning to his beloved Middlebury.
He is survived by two daughters, Deborah Long Pope and her husband, David Pope, of Watertown and Sheryl Long of North Carolina and a son, Kenneth Long and his wife, Shari Thompson Long, of Middlebury. He also is survived by two granddaughters, Rachel Pope of Watertown and Rebecca Pope of Kennebunkport, Maine, and by his loving companion, Theresa Casella. He loved spending time with her family, especially her two grandsons, Mitch and CJ.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Middlebury Congregational Church at 1242 Whittemore Road in Middlebury. Burial will follow in Middlebury Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday, March 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere at 2 School St. in Woodbury.
Memorial contributions may be made to Middlebury Congregational Church, Book of Remembrance, 1242 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 06762. Online condolences may be made through www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.
