WILLIAM E. LONGO

Loving and eternally devoted husband of Darlene, passed away on Friday December 10. The 10th in a family of 16 kids, Bill grew up in the Detroit area, where his dedication to excellence led him to achieve All City / All State status in both basketball and football for all four high school years. He topped his years at St. Benedict's by graduating valedictorian. He then attended University of Detroit and Wayne State University to major in math, philosophy, and education. And by being true to himself, he became an accomplished owner, trainer, and breeder of champion race horses, including Fanny Mite, at one point the fastest mare in the country, and Mighty Phantom, another of his many record-holders. His passion for Ray Charles' music led him to name another of his champion horses after the singer. He would rock his children to "I Can't Stop Loving You." His love of children spilled over into his support of all children's right to life and his belief that motherhood is the most important - and hardest - job in the world. He was avidly interested in what he considered "the Kennedy conspiracy", leading him to read everything Kennedy-related, including the Warren Commission Report, cover-to-cover. In his later years, one of his most relaxing and enjoyable activities was playing poker, securing for himself a permanent seat at the Greektown Casino. But that was a distant second to the love he had for his children Honey, Bill, Laurie, Terry, Sue, Kelly, and Dante; his grandchildren Suzanne, Mike, Joe, Maddie, Benjamin, Danielle, Samantha, Elizabeth, Chris and Nate; and his great-grandchildren Vincent and Sonja. And yes, he DID have a favorite: "Why, whoever needs to be the favorite right now." He had an undying respect and love for his mother. But the greatest love of his life was his wife of 50 years, Darlene "Big Red" Longo. He took great pride in her passionate approach to life. His honesty, strength of character, and desire for fairness for everybody is the legacy he leaves. To him, loyalty was the most important quality in a man. In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to Right to Life by visiting the Right to Life of Michigan Web site at http://www.nrtl.org or via US Mail at Right to Life of Michigan, P.O. Box 901, Grand Rapids, MI 49509. Togetherness Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the same easy way you always have. Laugh, as we always laughed, at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it always was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you for an interval. Somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past. One brief moment and all will be as it was before - only better. Infinitely happier. We will be one together forever. -- Author Unknown