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George Longest Obituary

LONGEST, George Calvin, departed this life in the early hours of March 11, 2024, in the company of his deeply beloved wife and children. He was a man who devoted himself to loving his family and conducting himself with an innate generosity.

The youngest child of a large family, George graduated from John Marshall High School and received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Richmond, followed by his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. His first love and life's work was teaching. As a member of the English Department of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he taught for 40 years, he published books and wrote and edited many articles and anthologies. But it was teaching in the classroom and inspiring young people to love literature that brought him the greatest fulfillment.

A more naturally kind and hospitable man would be extremely hard to find. He could easily quote from almost any work in the English language, from the King James Bible to Chaucer to Shakespeare. But it was in the more romantic American Literature that he would find his touchstones, among them Welty, O'Connor and the Transcendentalists.

Among his many interests, he studied and played the piano beautifully. His knowledge and appreciation of classical music and jazz were no less encyclopedic – a person who saw him listening to beautiful music witnessed the power of how music can affect an individual.

Lastly, and perhaps because of his agrarian roots going back generations in the Tidewater of Virginia, or perhaps because of the research for his book Genius in the Garden, George devoted countless hours of his life to gardening. He would just as soon devote his time and energy to the streetscape and garden of a neighbor as to his own. He wanted only to see and experience Truth and Beauty in this world. And that he did.

Unfailingly gracious, deferential, and generous to everyone he encountered, George embodied the spirit of a true gentleman.

Left to remember him are his wife, Jean; daughters, Maura Gaenzle (Rick), Heather McGuire (Hunter) and Jennifer Ascoli (Paul); and his son, Montgomery Maguire, all of Richmond; his grandchildren, Margaret, Caroline and Isabelle Gaenzle, Hunter and Gardiner McGuire, Joseph, Georgiana and Andrew Ascoli and Marlowe Maguire; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends. "Papa" showed us in his words and actions how to live with integrity, love, humor, generosity, humility and sense of purpose.

There will be a graveside service on Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m. in Hollywood Cemetery, with a reception to follow at The Commonwealth Club.

In lieu of flowers, we would be honored if you planted something beautiful in your garden in George's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Mar. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for George Longest

Sponsored by Bennett Funeral Homes Central Chapel - Richmond.

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Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Stacy Luks & Pierce Homer

Planted Trees

Elizabeth Vandaveer Binsfield

August 26, 2024

I am only now learning of Professor Longest´s passing. Of all of the wonderful professors I had while pursuing my degree in English literature at VCU in the very early `80s, Dr. Longest was without question my favorite.

I was very fortunate years later to enjoy lunch with him and one of his students, a friend of mine who had returned to her studies in her middle age.

I have fondly remembered his mastery of the material covered in his classes, his gentle but wicked sense of humor, and his kindness. And I was so flattered that he remembered me at our lunch, twenty years after I´d last seen him. I have kept a favorite comparative essay for one of his classes with his most kind and complimentary comments. He knew so well how to bring forth the best of his students´ abilities.

Sending prayers for comfort to all he loved, and who loved him. He was a wonderful man.

Alison Kent

March 23, 2024

We will miss George forever. He was such a happy part of our little neighborhood. It was a privilege to have known him. Alison, Mike, Thomas, and Eliza

Mary Sharon Wayne

March 22, 2024

Sending my condolences to the Longest family. As the chair for Creation Care at St. James, and a part of the Creation care diocesian Committee, it is particularly hard to loose a champion of anyone with an environmental heart. I would love to tell you more about the vision of Creation Care in Va. and beyond, Blessings, Sharon Wayne

Lindy L. Harvell

March 20, 2024

I had Professor Longest for Freshman English at VCU back in the 70s. I learned a great deal from his class, mainly from his shocking statements which encouraged class discussion. He was unforgettable! My condolences to his family.

Single Memorial Tree

James and Alice Luetchford

Planted Trees

Sam Mottley

March 17, 2024

I fondly remember George as a fnext door neighbor. He was always kind and friendly. He was a favorite professor at VCU. He had a Rambler station wagon. He took the r´s off the grille and switched the a and m. The name on the grille spelled MABLE.

Sam Mottley

March 17, 2024

I fondly remember George as a next door neighbor. He was always kind and friendly. I believe he was a favorite professor at VCU. I remember he had a Rambler station wagon. He took the two r´s off the grille and switched the an and m. His car had the name Mable.

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Memorial Events
for George Longest

Mar

23

Graveside service

11:00 a.m.

Hollywood Cemetery

VA

Funeral services provided by:

Bennett Funeral Homes Central Chapel - Richmond

3215 Cutshaw Ave, Richmond, VA 23230

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