Ralph "Gene" Long (age 98) passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014 at his home in Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, Maryland.Ralph was born on February 1, 1916 in Quicksand, KY to Benjamin Franklin Long and Nannie May Hite Long, the youngest of five children, all deceased:Mildred, Jack, Marian, and Sarah Catherine "Cat."

Ralph attended The University of West Virginia, majoring in electrical engineering.Since there were few jobs in Quicksand or other areas of Kentucky or West Virginia during the depression, Ralph came to Baltimore to live with his aunt and uncle hoping it would be a little easier to find a job in a larger city.He was able to find a job with Fisher Body, Inc. and later with the Crown Cork and Seal Company.

He met Ruth Fisher, his future wife, at church one Sunday soon after arriving in Baltimore, and married her on March 20, 1937. Ruth predeceased her loving husband, Ralph, on April 4, 2013, after 76 years of a wonderful and happy marriage. They bought a home in Brooklyn, MD and settled there for a few years.

Mr. Long is survived by his two sons, Dr. Wilbur L. Long (Bill) with his wife Christine of Westminster, Maryland and Ralph Eugene Long, Jr. (Gene) and his wife Kathye of Severna Park, Maryland, and two grandsons Thomas E. Long of Westminster, Maryland and David H. Long and his wife Rosemary of Ellicott City, Maryland.He is also survived by his faithful nephew Robert Eminizer and his wife, Bette; of Westminster, along with numerous great and great – great nieces and nephews who also survive him.

In 1945, Ralph and Ruth left Brooklyn, Maryland with their young son and moved to Gambrills, Maryland where they opened a grocery store and eventually a television sales and service shop.They completely redid the large home attached to their store and enjoyed life there until their retirement in 1985.At that point they moved to Severna Park, Maryland; and in 1997, they moved to their apartment at Charlestown.

During their life in Gambrills, Ruth and Ralph were active in the Eastern Star and The Masons, the Gambrills Athletic Club, the Indian Landing Boat Club, and the United Methodist Church in Millersville, Maryland. And, while living at Charlestown he was responsible for the testing of all electronic equipment offered for sale at their Treasure Sales at Charlestown.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the local hospice organization, Professional Health Care Resources or the Benevolent Care Fund at Charlestown.