Thomas Joseph Long Jr.

Long, Thomas Joseph Jr., age 83, of Centerville, passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Tom was a man with a great passion for endlessly caring for and giving to others. He grew up on Long Island, New York, and was the oldest of three brothers. Tom became interested in volunteer work when he was hospitalized for an appendectomy as a teenager. Rather than being upset about his high school senior prom being interrupted, he admired the care he received and the work of the emergency squad. He returned to the same hospital and became their first male volunteer.

Tom was a 1965 graduate of St. Elizabeth Hospital's nursing program and their first male nurse to receive a diploma. In 1966, he graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in education. Tom also served as a Marianist brother at the University of Dayton. He went on to become the assistant director of medical and surgical nursing at St. Elizabeth Medical Center while also serving as a Deputy Sheriff for Montgomery County on weekends and as a Box 21 auxiliary patrolman. Tom’s sheriff career ended when what officers described as an “old west shootout” resulted in him being shot in the face and almost losing an eye.

He received his paramedic certification in 1965 through Good Samaritan Hospital. In 1969, he married Jean, who would become his devoted and loving wife for over 50 years. Tom began his role as the EMS Education Coordinator at Miami Valley Hospital in 1978. His work there transformed the coordinator position at all local hospitals, and the courses he developed and managed benefited the EMS community at both the local and state levels. During his tenure, he served on the State of Ohio EMS Board and the State of Ohio Trauma Board, was President of the Greater Miami Valley EMS Council, and was on the Council’s Paramedic Operating Protocol Committee. He was a clinical instructor at Wright State School of Medicine Dept. of Emergency Medicine, was a State of Ohio Nurse Co-Coordinator for advanced trauma life support courses for emergency physicians and surgeons, an affiliate faculty for basic life support for EMS personnel, and an instructor of ACLS and Trauma courses.

Tom went to Marion General Hospital as Director of Nursing for a year and, in his short time, improved and upgraded patient care. An employee commented that he was a great asset to their hospital and community, not only to the nursing department but to all departments. “His soft-spoken manner, conscientiousness, and ability to talk to people and understand their needs was reflected in all areas.”

Tom left nursing for a year and worked at his father’s plant, Formed Plastics, in Long Island, New York. “The money was better, but I found I was always looking at the clock. In a hospital, you never look at the clock. Outside the hospital, I didn’t get the same satisfaction in working, so I returned to the EMS world.”

Beginning in 1970, Tom volunteered with the Washington Township Fire Department, running the squad and serving as the department EMS Chief and EMS trainer. Up to his retirement, he held the third-longest seniority of all people behind Captain Ron Seigla and Chief Ken Parks. In 1995, he was named Volunteer of the Year and honored for his work as a firefighter and a paramedic. Tom was awarded the Jack Liberator Hall of Fame Award and presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, both recognizing his significant contributions and dedication to the field of Emergency Medical Services and pre-hospital care.

It was said by his colleagues that to truly understand Tom’s commitment to EMS, one had to experience his willingness to assist in any way possible and his knowledge of the field. For over 40 years, Tom impacted countless lives through the education of pre-hospital care providers before he retired in 2006 as EMS coordinator from Miami Valley Hospital. He elevated all those around him, was a mentor, teacher, friend, and was one of the most widely known representatives of Miami Valley Hospital. He was respected, admired, and appreciated by all who had the opportunity to work with him. Tom was a tireless advocate for quality emergency medical services and was known as the “Godfather of EMS.”

Tom’s biggest achievement was his family. He was a devoted husband and family man, raising six children and fostering over 50 babies with Jean. Over the years, he enjoyed bowling, golfing, cheering on his children and grandchildren at sporting and musical events, attending Dragons games, playing cards, traveling with his wife, family trips to Myrtle Beach, and volunteering in his retirement community. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by his family and their pets, whom he spoiled beyond measure. He enjoyed his daily walks with his best pal Lucky, visits to the farm with carrots for Leo (horse) and Clarence (goat), and snuggles from his granddog Cooper. Tom never met a stranger; every person, to him, was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. No matter where he went, whether in Ohio or out of state, he always ran into someone he knew. Tom always saw the good in people and brought out the best in all who crossed his path. What an incredible footprint he left behind; he will be missed by all.

Preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor and Thomas J. Long, Sr.; son Garrett; and grandson Bailey. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Jean; daughters Kathy, Mary (Cliff), Susie (Mark), and Jennie (Pete); son Robert; granddaughters Samantha (Pete), Allie (Tommy), Maeghan, Kaitlin (Andrew), Tia, and Trinity; grandsons Daniel (Brittany), Jeffrey, Jacob, Nathan, Nicholas, Trey, and Samuel; great-granddaughters Emma, Evie, and Brynnlee; brothers Garry and Pat (Beth); and beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Tobias Funeral Home – Far Hills Chapel, 5471 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45429. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Church of the Incarnation, 7415 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, Ohio 45459 followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. His brother, Reverend Garrett Long, S.M. will celebrate. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or CURE Epilepsy. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tobiasfuneralhome.com