Randy William Long

PORTVILLE - Randy William Long was called back to his Heavenly Father on the evening of Monday (July 7, 2025), where he passed unexpectedly in his home at Portville Square Apartments.

Randy was born Nov. 21, 1948, in Olean General Hospital, to Carl and Delores Long.

He attended Portville School, where he remained until he joined the workforce to support his family after the passing of his father.

At a young age, he worked as a farmer on the Linn and Martin Farm. He also began work as a logger with Potter Lumber Company, which he would eventually leave to branch off into the world and start his own company, Randy & Sons Logging, with his family by his side. Randy & Sons Logging would go on to win safety awards four years in a row through the New York Lumbermen's Insurance Trust Fund, and W.J. Cox Associates, Incorporated. The company was known and treasured by the Portville community for years.

In his free time, Randy enjoyed feeding the birds and deer, watching the wildlife from his apartment window, cooking, telling stories and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in various school sports and activities.

He was happiest when he was making other people happy. He was always the first to crack a joke in a serious situation, find the silver lining in times when there appeared to be none, and even make a funny face for the camera on the most mundane days.

Randy is survived by his children, Richard (Rhonda) Long, West (Christine) Long, Melinda Long and Tracy (Raymond Keesler) Long; as well as his brother, Rick (Ruby) Long; and his sister, Delores (Rick) Chapman. He also leaves behind several of his grandchildren, including Nikki Thompson, Nicolas (Chasity) Freeman, Richard (Nicole) Long Jr., Samantha Herbert, Amanda (Geoff) Suleske, Emily (Jeffery Buchanan) Long, Ty Hoagland, Michael Long, Joseph Long, Kayla (Dean Springstead) Borrasca, Tyler Long, Dayton Shaw and Cayden Long. Also, his great-grandchildren, Tres'von Dedeaux, Davin Dedeaux, Alyse Dedeaux, Eden Dedeaux, Nicolas Freeman Jr., Hayden Freeman, Skylar Freeman, Sophia Long, Paisley Long, Blaine Kilcrease, Paisley Herlert, Kinsley Suleski, Savannah Sullivan, Jeffery Buchanan Jr., Rayne Buchanan, Dawson Drew and Samuel Long; and several nieces and nephews.

Randy was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Delores Long; his brother, Richard (also known as Dick) Long; Dick's wife, Delores (also known as Jerry) Long; his two sons, Randy Long Jr. and Robert Long; his nephew, Robert (Dicky) Long; and his granddaughter, Miranda Shaw.

Randy will be truly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He brought light to the darkest of days, and the world will have a difficult time healing from the loss of such a great man. There are very few people in this world that have the ability to change lives through small encounters and short conversations, yet Randy was one. He spoke to people with such warmth and love that it was impossible to tell if he had known the person he was speaking to for 20 minutes or 20 years.

He was a servant to his Lord, and those left behind on Earth can only take solace in the fact that he is now in Heaven, smiling down on them, likely bragging about how beautiful his angel wings are.

Mourning Randy will be a truly difficult challenge for those he had to leave, but may they be assured that this is not a goodbye, but merely a "see you later."

John 16:22 reads, "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you".

Please keep Randy's family in your thoughts and prayers throughout this painful time.

A private graveside service is planned for a later date. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.