Obituary of John R. Long, Jr.

RENSSELAERVILLE - John Robert Long, Jr. (Jack), 84, was born September 16, 1932 in Kansas City, MO to John Robert Long and Frances Gertrude Gilmour Long. He died at Evergreen Commons Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in East Greenbush, NY, on October 24, 2016. He served in the US Army and was in charge of logistical support of 127 harbor craft vessels in Inchon, Korea. He was a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State and an estimator and project manager for many construction projects in the capital region and internationally. Among the Albany area projects he worked on was the O. D. Heck Development Center in Niskayuna, the L. A. Swyer Inc. planning of the Ten Eyck Re-Development Complex in Albany, the University Heights Medical Facility in north Albany and early additions to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY. He was director of the Overseas Division of J. E. Schecter Corp. NYC where work projects included logistic support, engineering and procurement of mechanical and electrical components for office buildings, hotels and presidential palaces in Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria, West Africa. He was resident project manager for construction of mechanical and electrical facilities at four airports in Ethiopia and an economic development consultant in Guatemala and South America. He was very involved in a number of volunteer leadership capacities for the Town of Rensselaerville including the Ambulance (a member for 33 years and a volunteer EMT) and the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. He developed and supervised construction of public sewer collection and treatment facilities for that town and re-developed the construction, engineering and construction of public water utilities, including repairs to two dams and replacement of the public water distribution system. He was best known for his volunteer support for folk music events and contra dances in the Capital area and surrounding states. He was a member of the board of Old Songs for 30 years, was heavily involved in the renovation of the Old Songs building and was named Director Emeritus when he retired. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Rensselaerville and he supervised repairs of the church foundation. He was involved in the acquisition by the church of historic Conkling Hall and the rehabilitation of that building for community use. He grew up in Douglaston, Long Island, NY and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam, NY. Survivors include his sister Janet Long Haseley of Grifton NC and Rensselaerville NY; a brother Robert Stone Long (Debbie) of Spokane WA; a nephew Allan Niles Haseley (Kelly) of Charlotte NC; nieces Susan Blair Miller (Stuart) of New Hartford NY; Lynne Haseley Davenport of New Bern NC; Karen G. Haseley of Columbia MD; Jessica Long of Spokane, WA; Lindsay Long of Los Angeles, CA and seven great grand nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Old Songs, (37 South Main St., PO Box 466, Voorheesville, NY 12186) or to a charity or non-profit of your choice. An informal gathering of family and friends will be at Conkling Hall (8 Methodist Hill Road, Rensselaerville, NY 12147) on a date to be determined. Bring your musical instruments and singing voices (or just come to listen). (Questions may be directed to Janet Haseley, janethaseley@gmail.com, 252-714-6626.)