Submitted by his sister
Richard A. Long‚ 56‚ a devoted husband‚ father‚ grandfather‚ son‚ brother‚ and spirited fire fighter died on Thursday‚ April 3‚ 2003‚ in a fire truck accident.
Mr. Long was a retired employee of M&G Polymers‚ having also worked for Goodyear & Shell. He was a graduate of Gallia Academy High School.
He was a member of the Gallipolis Fire Department for 32 years‚ and the Loyal Order of the Moose No. 731 in Point Pleasant‚ West Virginia. He was a Vietnam Veteran and enjoyed hunting and golfing.
The following poem was written by a fellow fire fighter and sums up how everyone felt about Richard.
In Memory of Unit #612
God has given this to me‚ for #612 Richard Long‚
A friend from childhood‚ a firefighter so strong‚
Always giving the fire chief time off or relief‚
Unit #612 was known as our station chief!
Knowing that his death is very hard on us‚
Quoting the Lord’s Prayer‚ was a must‚
With a fellow fireman‚ in God he had Trust‚
In heaven we’ll meet someday‚ unit #612 a must!
Things are hard losing our fellow member‚
Leaving us with laughter‚ and runs to remember‚
Fighting a fire‚ setting station was his special chore‚
Memories left behind and much‚ much more.
Many tears have been shed by many standing tall‚
A cry out of why‚ but our unit #612 did fall‚
In memory of Richard Long‚ one of our best‚
May God give all peace in our hearts‚ as we lay our Unit #612 to rest!
May God watch over his family and friends‚
Trusting in God till life ends!
868-612’s OK.
Memorial Wall