John William Long, Jr.

It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of John W. Long, Jr., announces his passing from this world to his heavenly home with Jesus on February 14, 2026.  John was 63 years old.

John was born on October 12, 1962 in Wilmington, DE to the late John W. Long, Sr. and Brenda E. Long.  John grew up in Newark, DE where his love for baseball, especially the Philadelphia Phillies, began as a young boy playing short stop on the Dodgers team in the Newark Little League.  He also was a huge and vocal Eagles fan.  John received his high school diploma after passing the GED on May 14, 1998.  He then went on to pursue his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and graduated on May 12, 2001 from Wilmington College.  John was the only one in the family to achieve a college degree for which all in the family were proud. 

John lived in various parts of Delaware all his life and started his family with his marriage to Donna Short on June 6, 1987.  Together they hosted numerous international high school students in their home while raising their daughter, Sierra.  For many years, John made the long commute from Clayton to Wilmington, Delaware where he worked diligently as an accountant for Greggo & Ferrara and continued up until his passing. On August 18, 2005, John and Donna lovingly decided to open their hearts and home to adopt their baby girl, Aiyanna.  John loved being a dad to his daughters as well as a “fur daddy” to several dogs and puppies throughout his life. 

In 2022, after being divorced and relocating to Wilmington, DE, John met Sandra Meehan of Lancaster, PA.  Together they shared an enduring love and obvious happiness in each other's company.  They were planning much more ahead in their future, but sadly those plans were cut short on February 14th. 

John was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Sierra Long of Wilmington, DE.  He is survived by Sandra Meehan of Wilmington, DE; daughter, Aiyanna Long of Newark, DE; the mother of his daughters, Donna Eisenstein; sister, Vicki Pals and husband, Chuck of Elkton, MD; stepdad, Earle Gould and his wife, Sharon of Wilmington, DE; stepsister, Melanie Betters and husband, Chuck of Fort Meyers, FL; stepsister, Laura Betters and husband, Dan of Middletown, DE; and many nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service for John will be held at the Doherty Funeral Home 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 on Friday, February 20th at 6:00 PM, where family and friends may visit beginning at 5:00 PM.  Private interment will be at Gracelawn Cemetery on a date to be determined. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of John may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.

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