Clair C. Long

LONG - Clair Celestine, 93, Summerhill, passed away August 11, 2019, at The Caring Place, Franklin, Pennsylvania. Born September 27, 1925, in New Germany, son of the late Albert and Clara (Weinzierl) Long.

Preceded in death by parents; first wife, Pauline (Machnik) Long, who died August 27, 1984; infant son, Paul; brothers, Kenneth and wife Jean (Fresh), Raymond and wife Helen (Crocefoglia), and Harold; daughter-in-law, Jackie (Kohart) Long; and brothers-in-law, John Schissler and Ronald Noll.

Survived by wife of 32 years, Glenda J. (Reese) Fresch-Long, whom he married January 23, 1987; children, Sandra, wife of Edward Sisenwain, Pittsburgh; Daniel, married to Robbie (Seabolt), Bowie, Maryland; Thomas, married to Dennis Gosnell, Denver, Colorado; Patrice, wife of Phillip Shaffer, Winter Haven, Florida; Beverly Mitchell, Charles Town, West Virginia; Bruce, Ladysmith, Wisconsin; Valerie, wife of Matthew Jones, Franklin, Pennsylvania; and Jude, married to Jennifer (Rowell), Jensen Beach, Florida; step-children, Gregory Fresch, Florida; Douglas Fresch and wife Ruth, Mineral Point, and Randall Fresch, Carlisle; 19 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 9 of his 12 brothers and sisters. Leona Schissler, Westminster, Maryland; Rosemary, wife of Alfred Gill, Hagerstown, Maryland; Camillus, married to Betty (Demko), South Fork; Lois, wife of Robert Whiteford, Portage; Richard, married to Mary (Brawley), New Germany; Grace, wife of Jack Heinlein, New Germany; Barbara, wife of Patrick Dumm, New Germany; Vera Noll, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; and Joyce, wife of Thomas Gregorich, Mineral Point; and sister-in-law, Diana (Davis) Long, Lima, Ohio.

Clair was a graduate of South Fork High School. He was a devout Catholic, member of Knights of Columbus Council 2275; and a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Summerhill, where he was an altar server and lecture for many years. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during WW II. He was stationed in San Francisco as a ship supplier. Clair worked as a mechanic and truck driver. He told people he had 16 jobs during his life. He would often repair the cars and household items of family and friends in his own garage. He could fix just about anything. He was also an avid tennis player, playing until he was in his late 80’s. He was an assistant coach at Forest Hills High School for fifteen years, starting when he was 75 and retiring when he was 90. Clair also enjoyed playing golf, which he did until the age of 90.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home, Inc., South Fork, where vigil will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John’s Catholic Church, Father Leon Hont, OSB, Celebrant.

Committal, St. Marys Cemetery, New Germany.

Military graveside service by St. Michael American Legion Post 551.

In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donation to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 1100 N., Bethesda, MD 20814

or online at:

https://fightcf.cff.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=74EF1DA9F9D559FFE65DCB760E0F8CDD.app212a?1761.donation=form1&df_id=1761&_ga=2.174039207.540091382.1565635984-678617161.1565635984

or Aseracare Hospice, 12664 US-19, Waterford, PA 16441.

or online at:

http://www.aseracarefoundation.org/donate/

www.DimondFuneralHome.com