LONG – Mack A. Long Sr., aged 91 of Grand Rapids (formerly of Clearwater Florida), passed away peacefully at home on November 16 2009. Mack was preceded in death by his wife Rita. He is survived by daughter Maureen (Steve) Wright of Kalamazoo; granddaughter Erin (Gary) Wright and great-grandson Drake Wright of Beaver Falls PA; son Mack (Teresita) Long; granddaughters Sara Long Anna (Justin) Hickman and Rita Long of Grand Rapids. Mack was born on October 26 1918 in Middletown Ohio. He was active in sports and attended Miami University in Oxford Ohio where he excelled in basketball and met his wife. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a B-17 bombardier where he achieved the rank of Captain. Based in England Mack flew twenty-three missions. He was shot down over Germany and was a prisoner of war for 13 months until the liberation by Allied troops. He was awarded the POW Medal Air Medal and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters Distinguished Flying Cross and earned the Purple Heart. Upon his return to the states he married Rita and played professional basketball for Cleveland. Mack worked in sales in the state of Ohio and in Kalamazoo and was an avid single-digit handicap golfer at Gull Lake Country Club. He retired to Clearwater after Ritas death. Bop as he was called by his family will be missed tremendously especially his great wit humor and generosity. Funeral services will be 5:30 PM at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel 3980 Cascade Rd. SE Rev. Len Sudlik of St. Robert of Newminster Church officiating. Visitation from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery Kalamazoo at Thursday. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Gods Kitchen 303 S. Division Grand Rapids MI 49503.
