Obituary of Richard A. Long

Richard A. Long, 66, of 3057 Stockholm Road, Greenhurst, passed away Tuesday December 11, 2012, in his home surrounded by his loving family. A Jamestown native, he was born September 21, 1946, a son of the late Robert Long and Angelus "Angie" Nocero Long. A 1964 graduate of Jamestown High School, he was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving from 1964-67 on The USS Forrestal and USS Kittyhawk, followed by 5 years of service in the Naval Reserve. Rich owned several successful businesses in Chautauqua County and Ft. Myers, Florida, most recently the Chatterbox Restaurant in Greenhurst which he and his wife, Jeanne, have owned for 18 years. He loved his many regular customers and enjoyed being the Sunday morning bus boy. He was a member of War Vets Recreation, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Celoron Fish Club, Jamestown Moose Lodge and the National Rifle Association. An avid runner, he was ranked fifth in the State of Florida for the masters age group when he turned 40. He continued his passion for running until his recent illness. He was an outdoorsman and loved to fish and hunt. He relaxed by taking walks in the woods where he always looked for the elusive "Big Buck". He was an outspoken supporter of the NRA and our 2nd Amendment Right. He enjoyed his Friday afternoon golf games with his buddies, especially the 19th hole. Living in Western New York among Bills fans, he was never afraid to don the turquoise and orange for his beloved Miami Dolphins. Surviving are his wife, the former Jeanne Marchiando, whom he married November 14, 1970; 2 daughters Kari (Hans) Auer of Bemus Point and Billie Jean (John) Meyers of Melbourne, FL; 2 step children Gary Holland of Newport, ME and Shelly Holland of Charlotte, NC; 6 grandchildren Grace and Peter Auer of Bemus Point and Jerry, Reagan, Caroline and Mary Meyers of Melbourne, FL and 2 brothers Robert Long of Tucson, AZ and Ruedell "Dale" Long of Jamestown. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a stepson Richard Holland January 23, 1991. He will be remembered as an adoring husband to the love of his life, Jeanne. The lessons and love he gave to his children and grandchildren will be cherished always. For all that knew and loved him, please know how hard he fought to stay here and be with us. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Friends will be received from 10 a.m.-noon and 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home where a prayer service will be offered by Msgr. Joseph M. Dowdell at 1:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Bemus Point Track Club, 4550 Hayner Road, Bemus point, NY 14712 or Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of Rich at www.lindfuneralhome.com