Henry E. Long

May 6,1925 – August 3, 2025

WWII US Marine Veteran

Hank was born in Sloansville, NY son of the late Edward and Marian Long. His parents owned the Eagle Hotel on the Albany to Syracuse, NY stagecoach line. The hotel burnt to the ground in February, 1940 and that changed his life. He graduated early from Mt. Pleasant HS and joined the Marines at age 17. He was a Drill Instructor at Parris Island. During WWII he served in the South Pacific Solomon Islands, the Philippines and China as second pilot.

After WWII, he returned to Albany, NY and married Helen Smith, his wife of 65 years. He worked as an insurance salesman and manager for Wausau Insurance Company in NY, NC and Florida, retiring after 30 years. He loved to fly and owned several planes over the years. They retired to Deland, FL in the early 1980’s. Hank and Helen traveled in their RV across the US and enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake. He served as a Citizen Patrol Officer for Volusia County for 10 years. After Helen died in 2015, he moved to Madison, WI to be near family. In 2018 he went on the Badger Honor Flight. This July 1 he was thrilled to go on his 2nd WWII Dream Flight celebrating his 100th birthday with pilot “Scooter”. Hank was a good friend to many. A proud Marine who loved his cars, planes, boats and country.

He is survived by daughter, Starlett (Michael) Pfiffner; grandchildren Brent (Stephanie) Pfiffner, Scott Pfiffner, and Nicole (Luke) Davis; great grandchildren Bennett and Vivienne Pfiffner. Also survived by stepson James (Kathleen) Bauer and grandson Devon; nephews Richard (Susan) Nelson, Gary (Kathy) Nelson, and David (Lyn) Nelson; and sister-in-law, Inez Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; sister, Emma Nelson and grandson, Reid Pfiffner.

Thank you to the staff and residents at Four Winds Verona for the care and friendship his final years.

Thank you to Agrace for the flight celebration and health care.

A visitation for Henry will be held Friday, August 8, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM.

Burial at Oaklawn Park Cemetery in Florida beside his wife, Helen.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Indian School at give.stjo.org or Dream Flights at dreamflights.org