Raymond “Ray”` Long, age 65, of Imlay City, MI died suddenly Thursday, February 2, 2023 while working on the family farm in Imlay City, MI. Raymond Frank Long, Jr. was born August 9, 1957 in Highland Park, MI. He was the son of the late Raymond Frank and the late Judith Janet (Jennings) Long Sr. Ray grew up in Royal Oak, MI. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Royal Oak and earned his advanced emergency medical technician training from Oakland County Community College.
Ray married the love of his life, Crystal Elizabeth Schmit, on July 15, 1978 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Royal Oak, MI. He and Crystal moved to Imlay City in 1980. Ray was a paramedic for Imlay City Ambulance and Suburban and Fleet Ambulance Services until the mid-1990s. He was also an EMT training instructor for Imlay City Ambulance. Ray was a course development writer for Sandy Corp. and G.P. Consulting for over 30 years.
Ray was the organist at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church for nearly 30 years. He also played the organ at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Imlay City, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lapeer, and St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Capac over the years. Ray and his family spent two years living in New Brunswick, Canada. Family was the most important part of Ray’s life.
Ray is survived by his wife, Crystal Long of Imlay City; sons, Joshua Long of New Haven, IN and Joseph (Jennifer) Long of Whitmore Lake, MI; daughters, Marie (Aaron) York of Grand Blanc, MI, Therese (Eric) Mead of Otter Lake, MI, Rosemary (Brandon) Kropp of Mt. Pleasant, MI, Angela (Jason) Lewis of Grand Blanc, MI, Hilary (Gabriel) Thompson of North Branch, MI, Madeleine (Joey) Lusty of L’Anse, MI, Felicity Long of Imlay City, MI and Regina Long of Imlay City, MI. Also surviving are sisters, Mary Long Bloch of Leesburg, VA and Elizabeth Long of Davison, MI; brothers, Gerard (Margaret Pedrotti) Long of San Antonio, TX and John (Olga) Long of Bannockburn, Victoria, Australia; and twenty-two grandchildren.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Judy Long, Sr.; and his parents-in-law, Robert and Mary Ellen Schmit.
The Funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr. Eduard Perrone, will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 9 at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church, 13770 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI. A graveside service will be held at about 3 p.m. on February 9, 2023 at Imlay Township Cemetery, 682 N. Fairgrounds Rd., Imlay City, MI.
The family will be available for visiting hours from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. (with Rosary recitation at 7 p.m.) Wednesday, February 8 at Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 N. Main Street, Imlay City, MI and from 9:30-10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9 at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church, 13770 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI.
Please be sure to sign the online register book at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share your memories and condolences with the Long family.
