Paul E. Long

Paul Long, a cherished father, grandfather, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2025 at Lancaster General Hospital. A Lancaster resident for 30 years, Paul lived a life rich in love, intellect, and laughter.

Born just outside of Pittsburgh in the early 1930s, Paul faced hardships growing up during the Great Depression in a working class family. He lost his father on his fifth birthday, and was sent to live with an unfamiliar aunt and uncle. Yet his bright mind was evident early on—so much so that he skipped kindergarten and went right to first grade as he was already reading and writing.

Paul graduated from Wilkinsburg High School at age 17 and after one year at the University of Pittsburgh, enlisted in the U.S. Navy to help fight the Korean War. At sea, he developed a lifelong love for the ocean, and his time in Naval service provided a treasure trove of adventure and stories. Honorably discharged, Paul returned to Pitt and graduated magna cum laude, a testament to his sharp intellect and unwavering work ethic.

After college, Paul left his beloved Pittsburgh for Washington, D.C., where he joined the federal workforce and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Marie, and together they built a home filled with laughter and love in the D.C. metropolitan area. They raised four successful children, forged deep friendships in their community, and embraced life’s joys. As a father, Paul led by example, living a life of virtue, service, and ethics - but was always quick with a smile, a laugh, or a joke to ease any mood.

After retiring from the NLRB’s Senior Executive Service in 1987, Paul and Marie moved to Asheville, NC for a few fun-filled years before settling in Lancaster in 1995. Never one to sit idle, Paul in retirement lent his expertise to many businesses, social organizations, and charities. Most of all, he discovered his love for the stage, performing in local theater, and singing regularly at Karaoke hotspots. Paul and Marie immersed themselves in Lancaster’s vibrant community, with wine tasting, memberships at the Elks and Liederkranz, season tickets at the Fulton, and a talent for cutting rugs at area dance clubs.

After Marie’s passing in 2015, Paul found a new chapter of companionship at St. John’s Herr Estate, where he built friendships, performed in lighthearted radio plays, and spent joyful hours with his neighbor and friend, Barbara. Deeply devoted to his family, nothing brought Paul more happiness than time spent with his 12 grandchildren.

Paul was admired for his gentle wisdom, quick wit, unwavering integrity, and boundless generosity. A gifted storyteller with a beautiful singing voice, Paul never shied away from a microphone or a witty remark. He loved all things Pittsburgh—especially the Pirates, the Steelers, and his beloved Pitt Panthers.

Paul’s legacy of kindness, humility, and humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Paul is survived by his loving children Margo, Tracey, James, and Darren, and his adoring grandchildren Casey, Kelly, Ryan, Jason, Grace, Megan, John, Sophia, Rachel, Charles, Alex, and Liberty. In lieu of flowers, please make any donation you feel appropriate in his name; he was particularly fond of the Cousteau Society and the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation.