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Robert A. Long, Sr.

Robert A. Long, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, September 18th at Winthrop Place in Winthrop, following a long illness. He was married for 56 loving years to his classmate the late Rita Marie (Leslie) Long. The lifelong resident of Revere was the only child of the late Retired Revere Fire Chief Alfred H. Long & Doris (Pike) Long. A graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Harrison DD573, in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He had the honor of being one of 5 destroyers, a week before the first atomic bomb was dropped to conduct a bombardment raid on Suruga Bay, and being one of the deepest surface ships to penetrate Japan during the war. Upon being discharged, he returned home and became a member of the Revere Fire Department, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant. He served 26 years and during his service he served 2 years as President of the Revere Firefighters Local 926 and 6 years as its secretary. He also served 2 terms as historian of the Mass. State Firefighters Assoc. Mr. Long was also editor & part owner of the Revere Journal newspaper for a number of years. During his tenure, the publication received numerous journalism awards on the New England State & National levels. His wife was also a member of the editorial staff. Upon leaving the journal, he became a racing official at Wonderland Park.

He is survived by 4 children, Robert Jr., and wife Gail, Russell, Janis Halloran & her husband Paul & Joanne Licata & her husband Thomas. He also leaves 9 grandchildren, Alexis, Adrienne, Christopher, Andrea, Kevin, Justin, Jason, Ryan & Paige. 4 adored great grandchildren also survive him, Amelia, Isabel, Charlotte & Benjamin.

Private Funeral Services were held for the immediate family & interment was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery of West Peabody.

Memorial remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice.

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1 Message Send your condolences
  1. Joann Giannino
    Sep 28 2019

    My sincere condolences to the entire family. Bobby was a kind and honorable man. He was a friend of mine and my husband.
    He was always fair with everyone he worked with and everyone who worked for him.
    He certainly was part of the Greatest Generation. It was a gift to have known him.
    Joann Giannino

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.