Alan J. Long Sr. passed on Tuesday, 14 October, peacefully at home with his wife and family surrounding his bedside.

Alan was born 12 January 1950 in Orange, NJ to Louise (née Getzer) & John A. Long. He grew up in Clifton and attended St. Philip School and went on to Pope Pius XII Diocesan High School. After high school in 1968 he joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served four years until 1972.

In 1973, he attended Bergen Community College. There in US History I, he met and fell in love with Janet Merlino. Two years later on 25 May 1975 they were married. In their 50 years of marriagethey had 3 beautiful children, Alan Jr. (A.J.), John-Anthony, and Leanne. 

They moved to Lincoln Park in 1976 where he lived for 49 years. Alan worked for Coca Cola Bottling Distribution from 1973 to 1987. After he left Cokehe was blessed to be hired by the United States Postal Service, where he was a rural mail carrier in Towaco/Montville for 28 years until his retirement in 2016.

During the many years he spent in town, he volunteered with Hose Co. 2 Fire Department and was a member of the American Legion Post 279. In the 1980s he could be found assisting LP PAL baseball teams as a coach and in the 1990s he became a band parent with the Boonton High School Marching Band.

He was a lifelong dedicated fan of the New York Rangers and New York Mets, no matter how their seasons played out! 

Alan along with his dedicated wife were blessed to watch their children meet, marry and welcome daughter-in-laws, Heather and Jill and son-in-law Pete. He was adored by his seven grandchildren, Callie Alyn, Bradyn, Ryley, Carter, Josieanne, Haley, & Alena. He managed to surprise everyone as he immediately became a big mush once his grandchildren came around! He even fed, babysat often AND changed diapers, which he had hardly done for his own children. His change in personality was nothing short of miraculous and his support and help was so welcomed! 

Since retirement his favorite things to do were to spend time with his grandchildren and sit by the campfire at his campsite in PA, that he and Janet owned since 1988. Much of the time you would have found him watching Rangers or Mets games, or Nascar. And most recently, his obsession with Let’s Make a Deal and The Price Is Right. He was happy to share his stories from the Navy with anyone who would listen and was thrilled to visit the classrooms of his grandkids on Veterans’ Day to speak and show photos. 

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Wayne. Along with his rolodex of doctors and hospitals business cards, he leaves behind so many family members and friends who loved, admiredand have wonderful memories of his time with them. 

We know he was greeted at the gates of Heaven by many loved ones and so many of his furry friends who were ready to be pet and played with. 

Visitation will be 4pm-8pm Monday, 20 October at Keri-Lozito Funeral Home, 125 Main Street, Lincoln Park. 

In lieu of flowers, Janet along with her children would love if donations were made in memory of Alan to the American Heart Association.