Joseph Warren Long

Because Heaven was not bright enough, it has taken Joe's light.

Joseph Warren Long was born to in Montague, Massachusetts to Guy LaVerne Long and Helen Elizabeth Chamberlain on March 22, 1950. Helen's third of seven children, following Cheryl and Susan, and the oldest of five boys, followed by Allen, John, Nick and Guy, Jr.

During Joe's early life the family moved frequently between Massachusetts (MA) and coastal cities in Florida (FL). Joe's explanation of his origins were, "I was born in a log condominium." A true mix of the New England and South Florida influences in his life. Joe's favorite place seemed to be South Florida. In the Miami area he ran free with his siblings, sunburned, swam to islands in the bay wearing bleach bottles as water wings and worked on a shrimp boat. Memories he relished.

Although very bright, Joe kept a low profile at school. He spoke more of the jobs he had during school than of school itself. As an angry teen, Joe was a cutter at an ironing board cover factory in MA where a caring, old coworker taught him to have a gentler view of life. In a graveyard shift as a gas station attendant, Joe sprayed gasoline on the concrete and held slide and skate tournaments with friends. And bringing home fresh shrimp for Helen to cook up were the type of experiences he shared about his youth. Unbeknown to his teachers -12 schools in 12 years- Joe loved to read. Killing the last few minutes of class, a teacher asked the students to share something they'd read. Joe recited a poem. In amazement the teacher exclaimed, "Long, you can read!" which he always found amusing and sincerely kept him from judging others.

Being a young man of his time, Joe waited for his draft number with trepidation. Knowing he'd be drafted, Joe opted to enlisted into the U.S. Army where he served as Cpl, C Bat, 4th Battalion, 77th Aerial Rocket Artillery, 101st Airborne, Northern I Corp. In Joe's own words: "On July 20, 1969 as Neil Armstrong was taking that giant leap for mankind, Joe Long was taking his small steps toward Ft. Dix, New Jersey where he underwent Basic Training…" Joe considered himself "blessed by being one of the 5 in his unit selected to go to… Advanced Individual Training in Artillery, his MOS (Military Operational Specialty)… The remaining 120 soldiers in his Unit [being] routed to Advanced Infantry Training, experiencing much harsher conditions in Viet Nam… Joe Long was not a heavily decorated hero but he did receive," medals for serving honorably, during a period of "national emergency," for extending his tour of duty by two months, "and [for] the Expert Marksman with the M-14 - Joe's favorite medal, as it was earned through his mad skills at the shooting range."

Like many veterans, Joe did not speak much of his military experience. He let his hair and beard grow long upon returning home, had odd jobs of which being a roofer in Miami was the most loathed, commenting that, "it taught [him] why some people start drinking first thing in the morning." Trying to improve his circumstances, Joe applied to Miami Dade Community College. He showed up at the registrar's office with an unsealed high school transcript which Joe persuaded be accepted arguing, "nobody would lie about grades like that!" It took Joe 10 years to receive his Associate's Degree, then 10 more years to receive an obscure Bachelor's Degree in Professional Studies from Barry University in Miami, FL. During this educational journey providence landed Joe a repairman job with Southern Bell, where he had many developmental experiences. While Joe worked as a repairman, "U-guard patrol" escapades with Rich Paczowski made them lifelong friends. Being outside, Joe taught himself to golf during lunch breaks and this became his favorite pastime.

Joe transitioned to the white-collar side of the telecommunications business where he met Elena Montenegro. Their first date was on March 22nd, Joe's birthday. They were wed a year later on March 22nd, 1981. Joe described theirs as, "a marriage made at the phone factory!" Joe was what the Cuban side of the family called, "aplatanado," (gone native) Cuban culture and humor came naturally to him although he did not speak Spanish. Some relatives claimed he was just born in the wrong country.

Joe continued his assent within Southern Bell Marketing, ultimately becoming an account executive for AT&T Long Lines on the Pan American Airlines account. From repairman to account executive Joe's easy-going personality and good humor helped him solve problems and make friends. The convergence of the Ma Bell breakup and receipt of a Bachelor's degree prompted Joe to end his 17 years with Ma Bell and make an educational commitment and career change. Being 39 years old and not a member of "the Church," Joe claimed to have EEO'd his way into Provo, Utah's Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School. The intensity of Law School led to a JD earned in 1991 and dear friendships.

Within a calendar year Joe sat for and passed the Florida, Utah and Nevada Bars. The transition to the west could not be undone. Las Vegas, NV became home for 11 years. There, on March 22nd, 1992, (yes, that date again) Joe was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) by law school friend, Greg Wilde. Being in the LDS Las Vegas Stake helped Joe blossom. It gave him the opportunity to sing and polish his beautiful tenor voice, eventually performing with the Desert Chorale. Joe burned the midnight oil at his private law practice, primarily handling immigration and family law cases. Joe and Elena were sealed in the Las Vegas Temple in 1993, and readied for the adoption of their children Melissa and Justin. And, in 1999 Joe joined the Nevada Attorney General's Office as a Deputy AG.

Seeking a bigger home and a smaller community, in 2002 the Longs left their dear Las Vegas friends and moved to Ely, NV where Joe continued practicing as a Deputy AG until his retirement in 2009. Joe was a gentle, fun parent bantering with the kids, making them masters at backgammon, and spinning tales from the most random five words they could give him. He was always willing to participate with the family in travel and activities including the Lackawanna Volunteer Fire Department and going to yoga class with Elena. Joe was active in the LDS Ely Nevada Stake and the 3rd Ward. His favorite calling was in the Stake High Council with responsibility for Seminary and traveling to speaking assignments in Lund, NV and Garrison, UT. Loving kids and being plain, old fun, after retirement Joe volunteered with Little People Head Start where he made play time extra fun.

As neurological illnesses are disposed to do, in the mid-2000s Joe started to feel unlike himself. He underwent a very debilitating Hepatitis C treatment from which he did not fully recover. This was followed by silent seizures, memory loss, cognitive decline, and physical impairment. Alzheimer's was suspected. In December 2015 Joe moved to the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home (GEWOVH) where he said, "I feel safe here," and spent 5 years, 7 months and 11 days. In time Joe's diagnosis became Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinsonism. As frequently as possible, daughter Melissa visited Joe with her five children. Joe loved meeting and holding the three babies born during his time there. Justin lived in Ogden, UT, temporarily and tenderly helped with Joe's care and night time routine. Elena lives two miles from GEWOVH, and considered it her second home and the staff her extended family. Although vaccinated, and in spite of admirable care, Joe became ill from a Covid breakthrough infection. In his weakened state he could not overcome the illness and passed within five days. Silent and immobile, Joe always recognized Elena.

Joe was cremated July 28, 2021. At future dates a small memorial will be held in Ogden, UT, and one that includes his family will be in Miami, FL, maybe on a March 22nd.

Joe lived the American dream. From the opportunities given, he made himself a loving, solid husband and father, an honest professional, a kind servant to his community, Church and family. A humorous, humble, accessible man that just kept striving, he was an encouragement for many to continue their studies and improve their own circumstances. More than once we heard, "If Joe can do it, I can do it." He loved that. Joe is now free from his severe physical constraints. We rejoice in the freedom his spirit is enjoying. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Guy and Helen, his brother, Allen Long, his sister Cheryl Wolcott and her son, Nick Greco. He is lovingly remembered by his maternal aunt, Bernice Carpenter; sister Susan (Peter) Southard, brothers John (Linda) Long, Nick Long, and Guy Long, Jr.; Joe's children Melissa (Skyler) Marquardt and Justin Miles Long; his nephew, Neil Greco; Joe's grandchildren from Melissa: Kaden, Holden, Gaven Joseph, Rylen and Landen Marquardt; many family and friends whose heart Joe won; and his copilot wife of 40 years, Elena.

Thank you for your expressions of sympathy and love. You mean so much to us. Our gratitude to the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home resident-friends, staff and volunteers will endure forever. Our gratitude to Myers Mortuary's help taking the final steps with Joe is deep.

Do not send flowers. Joe loved children. If possible, donate to a children's hospital or organization.