This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: LONG, WRIGHT, HICKMAN Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/25632/mb.ashx Message Board Post: LONG Mack A. Long Sr. Age 91 Of Grand Rapids Formerly of Kalamazoo and Clearwater, Florida Passed away peacefully at home on November 16, 2009. Mack was preceded in death by his wife, Rita. He is survived by daughter, Maureen (Steve) Wright of Kalamazoo; granddaughter, Erin (Gary) Wright and great-grandson, Drake Wright of Beaver Falls, PA; son, Mack (Teresita) Long; granddaughters, Sara Long, Anna (Justin) Hickman, and Rita Long of Grand Rapids. Mack was born on October 26, 1918 in Middletown, Ohio. He was active in sports and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he excelled in basketball and met his wife. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a B-17 bombardier where he achieved the rank of Captain. Based in England, Mack flew twenty-three missions. He was shot down over Germany and was a prisoner of war for 13 months until the liberation by Allied troops. He was awarded the POW Medal, Air Medal and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, and earned the Purple Heart. Upon his return to the states, he married Rita and played p! rofessional basketball for Cleveland. Mack worked in sales in the state of Ohio and in Kalamazoo and was an avid single-digit handicap golfer at Gull Lake Country Club. He retired to Clearwater after Rita's death. "Bop", as he was called by his family, will be missed tremendously especially his great wit, humor and generosity. Funeral services will be Wednesday 5:30 PM at the O'Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, Rev. Len Sudlik of St. Robert of Newminster Church, officiating. Visitation from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kalamazoo at 11:00 AM Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to God's Kitchen, 303 S. Division, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. O'Brien-Eggebeen - Gerst 616-949-7350 www.gerstfuneralhomes.com Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on November 17, 2009 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.