Edwin J. "Eddie" Long

Edwin J. “Eddie” Long, 90, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, beloved son and brother, devoted husband, dedicated father, amazing Peepaw, incredible Great Peepaw, and awesome uncle went home to be with Jesus and the Angels on Friday, July 28, 2023. Eddie was an inspiration to so many and always-taught life lessons to all that he met. Everyone is a celebrity he used to say and encouraged all to tell their own story. “That’s your purpose,” he said, “tell your story, it just might lead others to Jesus Christ.” Born on June 11, 1933, to the late Augustus and Muriel Long, he was raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He received an athletic scholarship to St. Patrick’s High School in Ottawa. In 1952, he came to Fort Wayne at the age of 19 to play hockey for the Fort Wayne Komets Hockey Club. Eddie was a member of the original team. He played as a right-winger for fourteen seasons from 1952 to 1966 and served as team captain from 1958 to 1966. He was a former player of “Old Timer’s Komet Hockey Club” and was active in “Old Guys Hockey League.” He retired from Aalco Distributing Company and later as a tour guide for 21Alive. Eddie also was a coach for the Sled Hockey team and was a proud member of AA since 1980. He was also an active member at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. Surviving family include his wife, Gayle Long; children, Brady (Amy) Long, Valerie Graney, Michelle (Frank Mazziotti) Wittekind, Tina (Tim) Putt, Theresa (Donnie) Dressel, and Kathryn Mitchell; 12 grandchildren, Rachelle Marie, Andy (Nikki) Long, Sam (Kelly) Graney, Zach Graney, Sarah (Devin) Knox, Neil Welker, Casey Welker, Christian Long, Courtney (Alec) Mann, Erin (Grant) Zimmerman, Josh Mitchell, and Amanda (Zac) Badders; 16 great-grandchildren, Drew, Lily Rose, D.J., Klaire, Kelsie, Kayla, Jack, Emelia, Jude, Eliza, Georgia, Malachi, Maddix, Londyn, Sawyer, and Savannah; nephew, Richard Brady Long; sister-in-law, Jackie (John) Garvin; and many nieces and nephew-in-laws. Besides his parents, her was preceded in passing by his son-in-law, Dan Graney; sister-in-law, Beverly (Dalton) O’Boyle; sister, Margaret Abrams; brothers, Brady R. Long and Harry Long who passed during World War II; and nephews, Frank Long and John Herby. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 pm on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 1515 Barthold Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808 with visitation beginning at 12:00 pm. Visitation will also be from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. The family encourages people attending services to wear their favorite hockey jersey or dress in colors of orange and black. If friends and family wish to give a memorial in his name, they can be made to Most Precious Blood Catholic School or Carriage House. Condolences and memories are encouraged and can be left online at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com.