Donald E. Long

1933 - 2025

Donald E. Long passed away at the age of 92 on September 27, 2025 at Alpine Place in Keene, NH. Don was born on March 28, 1933 in Whitingham, VT. to Charles and Ruth Long.

He grew up in Jacksonville and Whitingham, Vt graduating from High School in 1952 before being drafted into the US Army and serving in the Korean War. Don served in the Military Police throughout his tour of duty in Korea and had the honor of being the driver for Marilyn Monroe when she flew in to entertain the troops.

On July 21, 1956, Don married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Lou Allen. Don and Nancy enjoyed 69 years of marriage and raised three children in Brattleboro.

After the Korean War, Don worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Ct before returning to Vermont in 1960. Don was a dedicated member of the local Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He embraced their core values of reverence to God, devotion to country, integrity, justice, tolerance and service to humanity. Don was a founding member and President of Rescue, Inc, President of the Brattleboro Winter Carnival, Deacon of Trinity Lutheran Church, President of the Southeastern Vermont Board of Realtors, Boy Scout Leader and a coach, together with Wayne Corbeil, of the Pirates Little League baseball team. Don was active in local politics as a mover and shaker in the local Democratic Party since the early 1960's. He was also a life time member and former Commander of the American Legion Post 5 during which time he, together with Bruce Corwin, started the American Legion Band. He marshalled the Legion Band in various parades for many years. Don was civic minded and a true "people person" throughout his life. He became a Realtor and joined the real estate firm of R. J. Fisher & Co. in the early 1960's. His upbeat personality, strong work ethic and sincere love of people enabled him to rise quickly to become the top salesperson at R.J. Fisher & Co. He went on to open his own real estate company, Don Long Realtors, in the early 1970's. Many of you will remember Don walking down Main St. daily with a big smile on his face waiving to and greeting people he met along the way. He even waived at people from his car resulting in incessant return waives and horn blowing by people in their cars. He became a Justice of the Peace early on and became known as "Marrying Sam the Real Estate Man." What many people in the community do not know is that Don absolutely loved nature and the great outdoors and made sure his son, Chris, learned about the wonders of the VT woodlands at an early age. Don cherished his time at "camp" in Bradford, VT with his friends and his son. Exploring and hunting the lush forests of Bradford and Fairlee, VT were his favorite pastimes. This area was his escape from the business world and an extremely important part of his life.

Don leaves his wife Nancy and beloved Maltipoo "Chloe," daughter Pamela Long and her husband Rick Foley and son Chris Long and partner Tracie Crawford. Don was predeceased by his son, Timothy Long, in 2012.

There will be calling hours at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home located at 40 Terrace St. in Brattleboro on Friday October 24th between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. There will be a funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro on Saturday October 25th at 10:00 am. A reception for friends and family will be held Saturday October 25th following the Funeral Service at the American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. Don will be buried with full Military Honors at Meeting House Cemetery in Brattleboro at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don's Honor may be made to the American Legion Post 5 or Rescue, Inc. in Brattleboro.