He was a gregarious person with an infectious smile, not to mention a gift of gab.

He was a man of deep faith, who loved his wife, family and friends.

He was also an accomplished musician who enjoyed sharing his talent to anyone who would listen as he played his trumpet and harmonica.

The Lehighton community is in mourning following the loss of Henry J. Long Sr., who passed away Sunday in his home while surrounded by his loving family. He was 89.

Long was the husband of Shirley (Higgins) Long. They had been married for over 72 years.

Reflections

Kevin “Spike” Long, one of Henry’s sons, said his dad loved the outdoors, specifically hunting and fishing, hiking and camping.

“His competitive nature made him excel in any sport he attempted to play, even in his later years competing in the Carbon County Senior Games,” Kevin Long said. “He was also a proud veteran serving for 24 years in the PA Army National Guard.”

Long said some of his fondest memories of his father was their camping weekends at their lot in Kresgeville.

“With family and friends, it was a great time with fireside chats, fishing, horseshoes, quoits, and of course the eating,” he said. “Another honor for me was serving with him in the PA Army National Guard as members of the 723rd MP Co C-7, then continuing to serve together in the Lehighton United Veterans Organization.”

Long said he and his father also played softball together in the Lehighton Churchmens League with Grace Lutheran Church.

“Most of all, my dad was all about family, and enjoyed any reason for us to be all together,” he said.

An avid sportsman, Long said his father truly loved rooting on his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Penn State football.

“We sat many hours watching them on TV, but also had a few occasions to attend live games at Beaver Stadium rooting for the Nittany Lions, or at Veterans Stadium rooting for the Phillies,” he said. “The memories are endless for a life well lived.”

Long then thanked his dad “for being a great example on how to forge your way through life: Love, faith, family, hard work, and enjoying life to the fullest.

“When you mention your dad’s name and it brings a smile, you know you were raised right,” he said. “For me, remembering ‘hey lad’ or ‘yo lad’ before our conversations is something I will always hold dear.”

Kim Rubin, assistant treasurer/secretary, Lehighton Borough, said working in a small office of seven women, they would see Henry Long every month when he would come into the building to pay his utility bill.

“He was the most pleasant, happy and kind man,” Rubin said. “Henry always asked how our family members were, if everyone was healthy, and if everyone was “behaving.’”

“He entertained us all with every visit, playing the harmonica. Henry was certainly a talent.

“It was a sad day when we heard of his passing. He will be truly missed.”

Brad Cressley, director of the Lehighton Band, said Long’s loss in the Lehighton area musical community will be huge.

Cressley noted that Long was a member of the Lehighton Band “way back when I was just a teen and joined for the first time and continued to play for many years after that.

“As a young man, I was always impressed in the way he could hear a melody and just play the song,” Cressley said. “At breaks I can remember him pulling out a harmonica, sometimes a full size and sometimes just a mini, one octave one and play songs you wouldn’t think were possible on the instrument.”

Cressley added that Long is probably most well-known for his Perseverance Dixie Land Band which performed for so many folks over the years who enjoy that music, and that Long’s ability to play anything by ear was amazing.

Additionally, he said Long’s dedication to the armed services “was a staple in our community, and he will forever be remembered for playing taps on Memorial Day as well as the Call to Colors for the flag raisings.

“He will be remembered fondly by so many people in the musical community,” Cressley said. “When the members of the Lehighton Band were notified of his death via our “alert system” responses from the members who knew him, it was met with much sadness.”

A life well lived

Long was previously employed by The Morning Call, Peoples Life Insurance Company, owner/proprietor of Long’s Short Stop, and many others.

He also served his community in a variety of civic organizations, while always remaining faithful in serving our Lord in all of his walks of life. He worshipped and lovingly served in many ways as a member of Grace Lutheran Church for over 7 decades, and most recently in the Lehighton Bible Fellowship for the last five years.

As a musician, he shared his talents in many ways throughout his entire lifetime, playing in various bands, as well as singing in church choirs and local ensembles. Long’s most valued musical endeavor was being the originator/band leader and trumpeter and vocalist of The Perseverance Jazz Band, who played and performed together for over five decades.

His community involvement included Lehighton UVO, Lehighton Band, president of Lehighton Cemetery Board, Lehighton Planning Commission, inaugural coach for the Lehighton Booster football program, Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club, and Carbon County Grundsaw Lodge #11.

Long was also very loyal in serving as a bugler for military funerals and ceremonies throughout Carbon County and other localities.

Surviving along with his wife, Shirley, are sons Henry Jr and wife Sally, Eric and wife Linda, and Kevin and wife Carolyn, daughter, Lora, wife of David Krum; a brother, David Long, sisters Sharelle Kratzer and Arlene Gubich, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A memorial service with Military Honors, under the direction of the Lehighton UVO, will be held at 11 a.m. July 27 at Schaeffer Funeral Home, Lehighton.

Contribution’s in his memory may be made to DYLAN AND GAVIN’S RAINBOW, P.O. Box 511, Lehighton, PA 18235.

See page 4 for full obituary.