Paul Alton Long, Sr., at the age of 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Dec. 27, 2022.
He was born to the late Frederick C. and Dorothy E. (Meyer) Long, on a farm in Princess Anne, Maryland on September 19, 1934. Second of four siblings, Paul grew up on a sharecropping farm with his eldest sister Pearl (Dieu, Barker), younger brother David, and youngest sibling Rosemond “Sissy” (Chesley) until 1949, when the family relocated to College Park in Orlando, Florida.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and served in Korea. Over the course of his military service, he met his late wife of almost 49 years, Margaret M. “Margie” (Mena). Following a brief courtship, they were married on 12/11/1954. The couple had three children, Darlene Marie (Silberman), Diane (Godfrey), and Paul Alton Long, Jr. Paul and Margie purchased a home in the Union Park area of Orlando in 1963, where they lived until they were called to heaven.
During his career, Paul worked as a driver of long-haul trucks, and he was an owner operator for many years. His brother David owned a family business that he later worked for as an equipment technician.
Paul was a self-taught man who was strong, generous, and honest. As a man who was always striving to do the “right thing”, he was respected and loved immensely by his family and friends.
He enjoyed family meals and gatherings and favored a smaller group “so you could talk to the folks at the table”. Often, he took part in some of the more “popular” shows exclusively so that he could converse with his grandchildren about them. He spent hours in his garage helping his grandson with any number of car projects. His driveway was the “car repair center” for his daughters and granddaughters. His home was adorned with the pictures of family, friends and especially great-grandchildren.
He was always available to his neighbors to lend an ear or assist with more tangible needs as he was able. While he did not have many hobbies, he loved tinkering with motors and rebuilding lawn mowers and small yard equipment for his neighbors. He has been described as the “best neighbor you could ask for”.He also enjoyed watching football and supporting whatever team he could bet against or for with family and friends for fun, often the stakes would be breakfast at Denny’s.
Paul is preceded in glory by his wife of 49 years Margaret M. Long, parents Frederick C. and Dorothy E. Long, sister Rosamond M. Chesley, son Paul A. Long, Jr., brother-in-law Manuel A. Mena and a nephew Adelbert Dieu.
He is survived by; daughters Darlene Silberman (Kirk Silberman) of Clermont and Diane Godfrey (William Godfrey) of Orlando, son Joe Gooch (Beth Allbritton) of Hampton, GA. Grandsons John Paul McKay (Tracie Netznik McKay) and Zachary Gooch (Danielle Schauer), granddaughters Tiffany Lynn Appel (Chris Appel), Christina Lynn Barganier, Brittany Alexis Weed (Chase Weed), Megan Brooke Long (Chris Chapin), Abigail Lynn Godfrey, and Lauren Gooch plus eleven great-grandchildren.
As well as sister Pearl Barker, brother David D. Long, Sr. (Terry Lee), sister-in-love Marie Long, brother-in-law Ronald Chesley Sr., sister-in-law Patricia Newman Mena, six nieces and three nephews.
Along with a host of extended family members and cousins.
The influence and impact he had on our lives will live on forever in our hearts and he will be dearly missed until we see him once again.
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. At the Woodlawn funeral home. 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road. Gotha, Florida 34734.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. At the Woodlawn funeral home. 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road. Gotha, Florida 34734.