James Donald "Jim" Long

James (Jim) Donald Long, 57, of Euclid, Ohio passed away suddenly and peacefully on July 18, 2021, while cheering his beloved Cleveland Indians to victory. Jim was a much-loved son, brother, uncle, and friend to so many. He is survived by his parents, Donald and Mary Ann Long of Euclid; seven siblings, Nancee Taylor (Dan), Jennifer Long (Brian), David Long, Jeff Long (Jocelyn), Joan Long, Joseph Long (Jennifer) and Andrew Long (Sheetal); 11 nephews and nieces; and one great niece.Jim was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio and welcomed into a large and growing family in Euclid’s F&S neighborhood. He was baptized at St. Williams Church, and attended grade school at nearby St. Stephen's Byzantine Catholic church where he served as an altar boy for many years and gained the rare distinction of having never been paddled by his first-grade teacher. He then attended St. Joseph High School in Cleveland, graduating in 1982, and went on to attend Cleveland State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1986.From the start, Jim quickly staked-out his place as the 4th of 8 kids lovingly raised in a small home. He barely survived early childhood, having broken his right arm at 18 months attempting to escape his crib and then a few years later he severely lacerated that same arm and his scalp by running through a plate glass storm door while dressed in a Batman costume. But alas he made it and despite earning a reputation as a young boy for having a quick temper, acquiring the nickname “blowtop” for his veiny tantrums, he developed a bold sense of humor and a love of practical jokes. He enjoyed comedy movies and TV shows, Benny Hill perhaps the most, and he loved tricking his mother into thinking she lost her mind by stealing treats from her when she wasn’t looking. Despite famously hoarding a private supply of cookies, candy, and Cap’n Crunch cereal in secret hiding stashes, Jim was known as a generous brother, notably lending out his driver’s license to younger brothers when needed.Jim’s true joy in life was sports. From a very young age he played baseball and football every chance he could. He played with anybody, anywhere, in any weather, at any level. If he could not play the real thing, then he played electric football and APBA baseball, accurately simulating entire seasons of play. Family members remember seeing young Jim first thing in the morning, poring over the sports pages of the Plain Dealer newspaper, on the floor with inky elbows, reviewing box scores of the previous day. Jim loved the Cleveland Browns and Indians professional sports teams, frequently attending games with friends and family. Jim was proud to have attended the two most famous Browns games in the last 50 years, known infamously as “Red Right 88” and “The Drive”. He shared prophetically a few weeks ago his feeling that the Indians might never win a World Series in his lifetime. Jim continued his love for playing sports, and the friendships and camaraderie that come with it well into adulthood. Though Jim could never be accused of letting his career get in the way of his love of sports, he combined both in pursuit of his sports dream job by first enrolling in The Ohio School of Broadcast Technique and then landing a position as an on-air radio announcer broadcasting Cleveland Cavaliers in-game updates live from the Richfield Coliseum. This was his proudest career achievement. Later Jim enjoyed working as the front desk manager at the Studio Taylor on Fairmount salon in Cleveland where his magnetic personality and attention to detail finally paid off for him.Jim’s life took a dramatic turn when he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke at age 45 that ultimately left him paralyzed on one side of his body. Characteristically, he rallied to make the most of his new circumstance. He quickly learned how to arrange transportation so he could independently travel to family events and medical appointments, and to go on knew every word of every Eagles and Michael Stanley song and would sing along joyfully!He expanded his friend group and deepened his personal relationships through frequent and persistent communications. He became a sort of town crier to those on his contact list, sharing news and updates, tastes in music and food, sports scores, fond memories, birthdays, anniversaries, hobbies, and more while always taking great interest in the details of others’ lives. His positive, thoughtful, and sweet messages were a joy for all to receive, especially for the “beautiful” ladies in his life. Through his actions, Jim brought everyone he knew a little closer to him and to each other. Jim is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday Aug. 3 at 10 AM at Ss. Robert & William Parish, 367 East 260 St., Euclid. Interment will take place at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon. A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held after the cemetery service.The family will receive friends at Brickman Bros. Funeral Home 37433 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, on Monday Aug. 2, from 3-7 PM. For updates, tributes and full obituary, please visit www.brickmanbros.com In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family requests memorial donations to the American Stroke Association.