D Gerard Long

D. Gerard “Jerry” Long, Age 84 of New Germany, died on August 31, 2023 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. Born on January 13, 1939 in Johnstown, son of Benedict and Marie (McDunn) Long. Preceded in death by his parents, and by siblings Tom (Angie) Long, Herb Long, and Marian (Alvin) Bowser. Jerry is survived by wife Joan (Fisanich) Long of New Germany, daughter Kimberly Long of Summerhill, son Robb (Kim) Long of Ebensburg, son Heath (Candy) Long of Ebensburg, and grandchildren Noah, Harper, Carson, Rhys and Marley Long of Ebensburg. Jerry was a graduate of Central Cambria High School where he was class president for all four years. He was recruited to Brown University to play football ad baseball. At Brown he earned degrees in Civil Engineering and Economics and later attended Duquesne University School of Law, where he was on the Law Review. He practiced law in Ebensburg with Blair Pawlowski, Tim Creany and Dave Tulowitzki, and represented thousands of miners for the United Mine Workers of America. He worked briefly as a public defender and Assistant District Attorney before becoming District Attorney in 1975. He won three terms as District Attorney before becoming a Cambria County Common Pleas Judge in 1986. He soon became President Judge of Cambria County for the remainder of his career. As President Judge, he renovated the Courthouse and created the Courthouse Work Crew which benefited numerous public projects within Cambria County. Jerry was a talented athlete who won numerous Ebensburg Country Club golf championships. He was the founder of two hugely popular golf tournaments, The Big Mamoo and The Double Club, which brought lawyers, politicians, businessmen, and friends together. He had two holes-in-one, of which he was very proud. He enjoyed traveling and playing golf with his wife, Joan, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jerry was a gifted storyteller who loved to recount his youthful exploits to his adoring grandchildren. Jerry especially loved Christmas and in the words of Dickens; “He knew how to keep Christmas well”. Friends will be received from 2 pm to 6 pm on Friday September 8, at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg. Funeral Mass will be held at 9 am September 9 am at Holy Name Church, Ebensburg, The Rev. Brian Warchola. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dorothy Day Center at SFU or to the Holy Name School Angel Fund in Jerry’s memory.

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