Robert R. Long, 84, a resident of Swoyersville, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, early Friday morning, November 05, 2021, in the comfort of his home. Robert would say that the time table was due the day he was born, and the end of the road has arrived. It’s been a LONG-fulfilled life with love and joy.

His beloved wife was the late Carol (Minnick) Long, who passed away on August 19, 2011. Together, Robert and Carol shared nearly 52 beautiful years of marriage.

Born on July 01, 1937, in Swoyersville, Robert was the son of the late Dominic and Mary (Marinko) Long.

Raised in Swoyersville, Robert was a graduate of Swoyersville High School, Class of 1956. During high school, Robert was employed at a local Pizza Parlor where he saw and met his future wife Carol (Minnick) Long. He often told the story about when they met. She walked in, he saw her wearing a pony tail hairstyle, and he dropped the pizza on the floor. They were together ever since and married on September 19, 1959.

Following his high school graduation, instead of accepting a college scholarship in football, Robert went on to enroll in the United States Marine Corps where he served a number of years. Upon returning from the USMC, he furthered his education at King’s College studying Accounting. He then taught at McCann Business College sharing knowledge he learned from his time at King’s.

Robert started his career working at a number of corporate businesses in the accounting department. After a short time, he decided to start his own business: Business Account Systems Inc. (BASYS) where he was the President/CEO until he passed away. Robert was an extremely hard worker but always offered the advice to “Work Smarter, Not Harder” which is how he managed to do so many things in his life.

In addition to his business, Robert also served as a football official for many years. He spent one season with the semi-Professional football league and 55 years as a PIAA official. He was also an active member of the community and founded Swoyersville Junior Football. He was a commissioner of both the Wyoming Valley and Greater Pittston Conferences. He served as the district representative for the Holy Trinity Boy Scout Troop. Robert also was the Chairman of the Swoyersville Bicentennial as well as the Chairman of the board of recreation which installed the playgrounds in the Borough and was instrumental in acquiring Morgan Park.

A devout Catholic, Robert was a member of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, now Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville. Active within his church, he would volunteer annually for the parish bazaar.

In his free time, Robert was an avid runner. He participated in many charity races throughout his life with his late wife, Carol. It was such a significant part of his life that when Carol passed away in 2011, he started a nonprofit, “The Carol Long Memorial”, in her memory, hosting an annual 5K Walk/Run. This past September, the race hosted its 10th Annual event with proceeds benefiting local cancer patients.

A man of many enjoyments, Robert especially enjoyed dancing to and listening to 50s music; an ICE COLD Coor’s light; detailing his car; and anything chocolate.  Above all, family was his greatest love in life. He was a proud Dad, Pop, and Great Pop who always looked forward to spending time with his loving family.

Robert’s family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the Department of Veterans Affairs Progressive Care Unit; Hospice of the Sacred Heart; and Geisinger Ground Transport for the extraordinary care they bestowed upon Robert during his time of illness.

In addition to his parents, Dominic and Mary Long, and his wife, Carol, Robert was preceded in death by his daughter, Charlene Long, who passed away on August 24, 2013.

Robert is survived by daughters, Carolyn Long, Laguna Niguel, CA.; and Christin Meighan and husband, Tom, Forty Fort; his seven grandchildren, Kelly Benesky and Tim, Schwenksville, PA; Thomas Meighan and Nicole, Lehman; Kaitlyn Meighan, Forty Fort; Dylan, Katrina, Mateo, and Ali Yepiz, all of Laguna Niguel, CA; his three great-grandchildren, Maverick Benesky, Thomas Meighan VI, and Jaxson Yepiz; his brother, Thomas Long, Florida; his sister, Joan Hizny, Pittston; as well as his many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 9:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Richard J. Cirba, family friend and Pastor of Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish, Wilkes-Barre, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas, where Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps.

Family and friends are invited to Robert’s viewing which will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Long Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

The family kindly requests that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made in Robert’s memory to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.