Read Thomas "Tom" Edward Long's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Thomas "Tom" Edward Long

Forest Park, IL, USA

February 1, 1946 - March 21, 2021

Feb 1, 1946 - Mar 21, 2021

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Thomas Edward Long passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at the age of 75. Tom was born on February 1, 1946 and adopted by Margaret Donnelly and Harry Long of Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and graduated in 1968 with a B.S. degree in English. He later earned two Masters degrees, including one in English from Rutgers University and one in Computer Sciences from RPI. While in college, he met Susan Jane Davis. They married on August 23, 1969 and moved to the Hoosac School in Hoosick, NY where he taught American literature and Susan taught history for four years. They raised three daughters, Abigail, Emily and Claire while Tom pursued a 35-year career in management consulting. While living in Michigan in the 1990s, Tom reconnected with his birth mother, Helen Digby, and learned that though his father had passed, he had two biological siblings, Tim Digby and Marjorie Kostelnik. He spent the remainder of his life getting to know his mother, brother and sister, while maintaining a bond with his adopted brother Bill Long.

Tom had a passion for learning and taught Computer Science at DePaul University in Chicago until he retired in 2020. Throughout his life, he was active in the Episcopal Church and mentored Education for Ministry classes. He was an avid student of history, mathematics, physics and literature. Tom loved nature, particularly the ocean, becoming a certified SCUBA diver and traveling with his family for diving trips over several summers. He was fascinated by the geology and history of Iceland. Tom’s family also remembers his love for rollercoasters, film, opera, theater, big dogs, cigars, Porsche 356 Bs, college football and the hottest hot sauce on earth.

Tom is survived by his wife, his brothers and sister, his daughters and their husbands, two granddaughters and three grandsons. A private virtual memorial service is being planned for May 29, 2021, at 2pm CST. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to :

-- The Thomas Long Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports Education for Ministry (EfM) participants at Grace Oak Park needing financial assistance. Donations can be made at graceoakpark.org or https://www.paypal.com/donate…
-- Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue at http://www.glmr.org
-- Lung Transplant Greatest Needs Fund at Loyola University Medical Center at http://www.support.loyolamedi…

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