John Kelty Long

1939 - 2024

OBITUARY

John Kelty Long, 85, died at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous fight with cancer. He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1939 to William and Dorothy Long. He was proud of his family’s roots in the city of Poughkeepsie, including his mother’s family business, Kelty’s Bakery, and father’s company, William J Long Crane & Riggers, est 1918. John married the love of his life, Patricia Smith, on February 8, 1964. They shared a deep love and devotion for each other and were blessed to celebrate their 60th Anniversary this year. John attended high school at Cardinal Farley Military Academy and studied business at Villanova. He served his country in the Army National Guard. He and his brother, Bill, ran the family crane business until 1982. John worked at IBM and Arnoff Moving Company. John was an active member of St. Mary’s Church, regularly attending daily mass. His faith and trust in God were evident in his daily life. After retirement, he expanded his hobby of cutting and splitting wood to delivering firewood to many family and friends. John was the family historian and enjoyed traveling to Maine and the Adirondacks and meeting his friends for breakfast. Everyone who knew John knew how much he appreciated a good meal, live music, fishing and his yearly trips to Westport, MA. John was always quick with a joke and had a twinkle in his eye. His strength could be felt in his firm handshake and seen in his fierce determination and how he never gave up, especially when things got hard. To say John loved his family is an understatement. He made it his mission to stay on top of all of the latest news with every person and found ways, big and small, to make sure everyone was taken care of. John built his life around putting his family first. He leaves behind a family that will miss him dearly but that is forever shaped by his love. In addition to his loving wife Patricia, he is survived by; his five children Kathleen (Larry), John (Stacie), Tim (Ana), Brian, and Eileen (Tom); fourteen grandchildren Maggie, Colleen, Tim, Kimberly, Michaela, Shannon, Patrick, Brandon, Ava, Justin, Aly, Brooke, Morgan, and Aubrey; and six great-grandchildren Max, Charlie, Lily, Bennett, Kaileigh, and Noelle. John’s family will always remember his favorite sayings but most of all he would want us to remember…..“Keep the faith!“. Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 21st, 4 – 8pm at Delehanty Funeral Home, 64 E. Main St. Wappinger Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, Oct.22nd, 10am at St. Mary’s Church, 11 Clinton St. Wappinger Falls, NY 12590. Followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Sparrow's Nest and Memorial Sloan Kettering Family Foundation.

VISITATION

Monday, October 21

4:00 - 8:00 PM

Delehanty Funeral Home

64 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Tuesday, October 22

10:00 AM

St. Mary R.C. Church

11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls, NY

INTERMENT

St. Mary's Cemetery

19 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls, NY