Webster Bruce “Boots” Long III, of LaVale, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2002, at home with his family.
Mr. Long was born Oct. 19, 1924, in Cumberland, Md., a son of the late Webster Bruce Long Jr. and Emma Knoyer Long. He was the grandson of Webster Bruce Long and Jess Leonard Long.
He was married for 55 years to Leona Phares Long, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Mark B. Long, Frederick, Md., and Matthew Long and wife, Joanne, of Frostburg, Md.; four grandchildren, Megan, Matthew, Caitlyn and Samuel; and his mother-in-law, Lillian Phares of Elkins.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Louisa “Betty Lou” Long; and two brothers, Loren A. Long and Danial Lynn Long.
He was a graduate of Allegany High School and was a veteran of World War II having served in the Third Army and was a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge. In 2001, he was presented the Jubilee of Liberty Medal. He was retired from The Kelly-springfield Tire Co., having worked there as a mechanist for 40 years. He belonged to the LaVale United Methodist Church.
He was also past president and member of the LaVale Lions Club and was Lion of the Year in 1994. He was a member, past president, vice president and chief of the LaVale Volunteer Fire Department, life member of BPOE Elks No. 63, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1411, American Legion Post 13, member of Fraternal Order of Eagles in Cumberland, Md., Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 271, a life member of the Barrelville Outdoor Club, Civilian member of Maryland Troopers Association Inc., member of AARP, and a member of Parkinson’s Support Group and Rubber Workers Retirement Club.
Friends and family will be received at Hafer Chapel of the Hills Mortuary, 1302 National Hwy., LaVale, today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be Tuesday at LaVale United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Bernadette Ross officiating. Visitation will be in the church beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Maryland State Veterans Cemetery at Rocky Gap. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Combined Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel today by the LaVale Lions Club at 7 p.m. and the BPOE Elks No. 63 at 8 p.m.
Contributions may be made in memory of Bruce to the LaVale Rescue Squad, 977 National Hwy., LaVale, Md. 21502, the LaVale Lions Club, 1111 Braddock Road, LaVale, Md. 21502, or Hospice Home Care of Western Maryland Health System, Memorial Campus, 600 Memorial Ave., Cumberland Md. 21502.
