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J. Delong Obituary
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Brenda Hersey
April 23, 2011
Val, I am so sorry for your loss. A Dad always has a special place in a daughter's heart. Cherish the memories!
Vernon and Beverly DeLong, and Family
April 20, 2011
Jeanette and Family:
Our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry to learn of Walter's passing.
Willis and Maida Glew
April 20, 2011
Sympathy from a friend and co-worker.
Arlene Wright
April 19, 2011
Dear Delong Family,
So very sorry to hear about the loss of one of Monticello's finest.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all during this time of loss.
Arlene Nickerson-Wright and Chester Nickerson
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Deidre Dombek-Lindahl
April 19, 2011
Dear Delong Family,
Every time I think of Walt, I'll think of a man who was always happy to see me, who had a smile and a story for every situation, who had a strong handshake and an even stronger hug, who was proud of his family and, as everyone knew, who loved his wife above all else.
Heather Trecartin Merrow
April 19, 2011
To the Delong family
May you find comfort in all your happy memories. Our thoughts are with you all.
Scott Trecartin and family
April 19, 2011
Valerie and Keith: So Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Our sympathy and prayers are with you and your family.
Lester & Sharon (Parker) Bartley, Tallahassee, FL
Allison Delong
April 18, 2011
With Walter and Jeanette in front of Jeanette's beautiful garden. Some of my best memories are of the boys flying kites around and around this garden and Walter riding Ford around on the mower.
Allison Delong
April 18, 2011
Am posting photos of our summer 2008 visit to Maine. Walter and Jeanette took us to Grammies where we got a photo with Walter, Jeanette, Hunter, Ford, and me featuring Allen's thumb, and later a picture in front of Jeanette's garden. It seems impossible it could have been that long ago and I had hoped to see Walter again this coming summer. My love and condolences to the great number of family and friends who will miss my "Uncle Peanut Butter".
Allison Delong
April 18, 2011
Allison Delong
April 18, 2011
Paul & Jan Palmer
April 18, 2011
Our Deepest sympathies at the loss of a favored loved one of Monticello. You are in our prayers.
April 18, 2011
THE WALT I KNEW
He did his part, and he expected you to do yours. He loved being a farmer. He took things at their face value. He saw what you did, and if you were true to what you did. He liked you. If you said one thing and did another he wouldn't bother with you again. He took the time necessary to explain thoroughly and loudly to anyone who did not treat him or his family fairly, exactly how they would do so in the future.
He treated everyone he met with respect until they didn't deserve it. He was interested in everyone he met. He was fascinated by the stories others told him about their lives. He remembered every story told to him, and when the opportunity presented itself he repeated those stories and used them to hone his own beliefs, to entertain his friends, to offer his help, or just to keep them talking. Walt loved to talk. He liked talking because it got the people he met to talk back so he could listen. Listening kept him in touch with the depth of people, with their potential, with their failures, with the work they did, with the troubles they had and with the people they knew. Talking and listening was therapeutic for Walt.
He talked about his own life; about the things that happened to him that would have crippled a less determined person. The stories he told brought a grin of thanks to his face. He deeply believed he was a fortunate man, a lucky man. He was not studiously religious but he firmly believed his life was blessed. That belief made him thankful for everything that happened to him, fortunate and unfortunate.
He would talk often about how fortunate he was to have the years that he called, “my extra years.� Those would be the years that had passed since he nearly lost his life in two near deadly accidents. “I was flat on my back on the operating table,� he used to say. “And the Doc cut me open and took my guts out and put them on the table while he fixed the part that got broke. Then he stuffed them back in again and here I am.� And he'd smile and say, “That's somethin', ain't it? I've had a lot of extra years since then.�
Walt talked, but he also listened. He listened, he observed carefully, and more often than not he responded with practical advice. Like the time we were having breakfast in a fast food restaurant and the waitress was grouchy, slow, impolite and irresponsive to requests for anything. When we finished eating Walt reached in his pocket, took out a single penny, tossed it on the table and said, “If I hated my job as bad as she does, I'd go get me one I liked.� Then he looked at me and added, “I wouldn't have left no tip at all except I figured she ought to know how much I think her service is worth.�
His compassion showed through his solid exterior at times with an unexpected tear that he would quickly wipe away.
He was frugal. He liked to “pick-your-own� strawberries at a farm over in Canada and fashioned a method for placing boxes so close together he could overflow the boxes without a single berry falling out. Somehow it added up to an extra box as a bonus. I could never figure that out.
Walt loved to eat but didn't like to diet. He and Jeanette solved that problem by reducing the size of his dinner plate. He was allowed to have a completely filled smaller plate of food for dinner, but no seconds. That reduced his input along with his waist size, and assured him, stomach rumbling or not, that he had just eaten an extra hardy meal, and he was plum full.
And speaking of Jeanette…
My-oh-my did he love Jeanette. Walt and Jeanette is a love story as beautiful as any ever lived. It exploded the instant they met in high school, traveled over some of the most bumpy and difficult economic times, grew with each child who came to them, got stronger the longer they embraced each other's hearts and souls and smiles and tears…and blossomed in the autumn of their life together with a sensitivity for each other so sound and true it washed a wonderful truth over everyone who saw it.
So that's what it's like, I used to think as I watched them touch hands, disagree over a card count or watch their eyes as they spoke to each other.
This is what the world has been looking for. This is what love is.
Walt was what love is.
John Dombek
Debbie McCarthy
April 18, 2011
Fred,so sorry to hear about your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kim and Ed Flewelling
April 18, 2011
Our condolences to you on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
April 18, 2011
To the entire Delong family: Thanks for the memories, there were many, and I cherish all of them. RIP, Walter. Love, Maridee Garvey
April 18, 2011
To the entire Delong family: Thanks for the memories, there were many, and I cherish all of them. Love, Maridee
April 18, 2011
Pat, sorry to read about the loss of your brother. Our love and prayers go out to you and the Delong family during this difficult time.
Ed. Couturier H.H.S.1949.
Leon & Sharon Delong
April 18, 2011
Jeanette and family,
Wish we could be there with you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and hugs,
Pamela Nickerson
April 18, 2011
Jeanette and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Frank Briggs & Pamela Briggs Nickerson
Vicki Helstrom
April 18, 2011
Valerie and Keith,
I am sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Donald Thompson
April 18, 2011
Your husband and father worked together with our father for many years on the railroad and my father always had wonderful stories to tell about Walter. Our sincere sympathy and prayers are with your family. The family of Donald Thompson.
Barbara Gagne
April 18, 2011
Deb - So sorry to read of your dad's passing. You've been on my mind all weekend. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Wish I could be there in person to support you. Barb
Jocelyn Marquis
April 18, 2011
Dearest Jeannette and family, we are so sadden by this news. You and Walter were the first to welcome our family to our neighborhood that we still live in. It was never the same after you left. Stopping by to visit you in Montecello on our way back or to downstate was always a special treat for us. Your door was always open and you and Walter always so welcoming. We pray that with time your heart will find comfort in knowing that he is at peace now and with his maker.
Lots and Lots of love and prayers sent your way.
Scott and Jocelyn Marquis
Arnold Ellis
April 18, 2011
Our condolences to Jeannette and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Eldon Bennett
April 18, 2011
Jeanette and entire family, was saddened to hear of Walter's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Walter, his mother & 5 of his siblings in 1992
Candy Delong/Muehleisen
April 18, 2011
He will be greatly missed--a very good man & older brother. Here is a photo of him, his mother & 5 of his siblings at a wedding in June, 1992.
Ken and Vera Butler
April 18, 2011
Oh, Jeannette, We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. We have such fond memories of you and Walt, the perfect couple. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Geraldine Black
April 18, 2011
Family, I am so sorry for the great loss of your dad and husband. Freddie, I am sorry I am not home to come and see the family but my thoughts and prayers are with you all and now know your Dad is in a better place. Walter will be gratly missed.
Sadie Billings
April 18, 2011
Fred, so sorry to hear about your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Lori Ireland
April 18, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. ( I went to school with Valerie) Lori McBreairty Ireland
Lynne McNinch
April 18, 2011
Jeanette,Deb,Val,Fred,Joe and Allen,
I was so saddened by Walter's passing,as you all know you have always been in my heart as family and I love you all,please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.Walter was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by so many.
Deb Sennett
April 18, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time of great sorrow. I've known Walter for a long time. I used to enjoy talking to him, he always had a smile and positive attitude, it didn't change no matter what. My deepest sympathy to your family.
Roscoe & Lucielle Rankin
April 18, 2011
We are so sorry to hear of Walter's passing. Although we did not know him , but having him as a roommate recently at EMMC , we could tell he was a very special man with a wonderful family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Peggy Sue Rusk
April 18, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the Delong family. May God bring peace to your hearts as you understand he is never gone from your hearts.
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