Robert Kenneth DeLong
Robert Kenneth DeLong 81, resident of North Ft. Myers, FL, entered into Eternal Rest peacefully at his daughter’s home in Atlanta, GA, on October 14, 2014, with his loving son and daughter by his side, following a weekend of being surrounded by the love of all his children, son-in-laws and grandchildren.
Born in Johnson City, N.Y., Robert was the beloved son of Harold K. and Marion Decker DeLong, brother to Rosalie James Griffin who preceded him in death.
Robert was a cherished and devoted husband to Eleanore Jean Morgan DeLong, his true sweetheart and angel who he first met on a skating pond in February 1952. It was love at first sight. Eleanore preceded Robert in death on March 10, 2010, after 57 wonderful years of marriage.
Robert will be forever remembered as a wonderful, kind, gentle, unconditionally loving father to his children : Robin Jean James Gillberg DeLong of Elmira, NY; Terri Renee Guillaume Ernoult of Atlanta, GA; Thomas Robert Kimberly DeLong of Hilton, NY; and Luanne Kay John O’Donnell of Cape Coral, FL. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren, and his buddy Ted.
Our Father touched the lives of many people and everyone who knew him would refer to him as the kindest man they have ever met. We love you Dad and Grandpa and you will be always and forever be in our hearts and greatly missed!
Private family services to be held at a later date.
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Dad where do I start. Life has its journey’s from beginning till the end and along the way we meet so many people and explore so many avenues.I know there’s not one person along your path in life that didn’t love you,look up to you, respect you or just like visiting with you.I for one know how much love and respect I have for you,it’s a priceless gift that a son can give his father.I will never forget my life as a child with you leading the way for me,by setting such a fine example to grow into a man.Thank you for all the love you have given me throughout my life.I was once told by a great man, your grandfather Francis Rinko Decker towards the end of his life, he told me never say good-bye always say so long.So until we meet again… so long.
Love Your Favorite Son.
Thomas Robert DeLong
Dear Dad – we have no words to express our great love and admiration for you and what you have been through all these months. You have been so brave and never a complaint when you were clearly in pain – you kept your pain to yourself so that we would not worry. Our house is empty without your presence, Teddy has not even gone back to your tv chair yet – he knows you are gone and loved you so much too. He has all the crackers you left him for over the next few weeks but i know he wishes it was you to give them to him and to play with him each day. Guillaume and i love you so much and will never forget our time with you. You were never a burden to us we feel it was only normal that you were here. We would do it all over again with you. We love you forever and will carry you in our hearts to eternity when we will meet you again someday..it is not the end of our wonderful relationship..it is just a brief separation in time. xxxxxoooo forever your daddy’s girl.
Terri Renee’
Dear Dad, How we miss you. We have so many wonderful memories that I do not know where to begin. We had so many talks on our porch sitting out enjoying the weather and delicious dinners. Talks with your grandsons, John and Michael. Telling us all about your engineering days, so much that your grandsons are thinking of that as a career. You would tell them how proud you and mom where of them. We miss the times of you coming over to watch your favorite sporting event, rather it be football or the NBA playing. You were the most dedicated Buccaneer fan that we knew. We thank you for being such a wonderful father and all the good advice you would give us. We will miss you everyday but know you have been called home to be with the Lord and we shall see you and mom again. Love, Luanne, John, John Jr., and Michael
Dad, I have always felt so blessed that I had two wonderful parents! Life started out good and continued to get better all the time because of the good fortune of having parents who taught us through example to love and be kind. You were one of the most gentle people in the world! Jim and I really enjoyed the four summers/falls that you spent with us. We enjoyed our picnics together and the sporting events that we attended with you. Thank you for leaving us with beautiful memories to last a lifetime. We hope you are dancing with Mom right now and looking down at us with the pride that only a good parent has–that you did a great job on this earth! We love and miss you every moment, Daddy.
Grandpa, It is hard to imagine life without you. How many people have a grandparent alive for 36 years of their life, and on top of that, a grandparent who was on top of their game right up until the end? My brothers, cousins, our wives, children and I were all VERY lucky and privileged to have you in our lives. YOU set the bar as to what boys and fathers should grow into. I will miss talking sports and cars with you, but don’t fret, we will once again talk about those things when we meet again. I love you very much.
Timmy
To the children of Robert:
We are so and so sad about the death of your so nice father. He was a good father. We are thinking a lot to all of you. We wish for you and your family all the courage you will need to confront all the things you have to do now after your father’s death. We share your sorrow. Kisses and love Annick and DJack – our thanks also to your family so friendly with us when we met in Florida.
We are so so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you all the time. He was loved & lived a good life; it is what we all want & he was lucky. Love you.
Dad I never knew this registry was here until now, well better late than never. Where does a son start to tell his dad how much he loves and respects him. I have only fond memories of everything about you. From playing ball with all of us kids in the fields at Fyle Elementary to fishing trips to being by your side when you needed me. Now I’m needing you by my side one more time. I have felt the presence of mom which was what took me to get help. Tell her I love her so much for all she did and gave up for us kids in life. Give her a big hug and kiss for me. I’m waiting for your presence to show up and help guide me also. “I’m not afraid “ but I just don’t want to go right now. I want to see Taylor grow up get married have children and a nursing career. I’m going in Tuesday 05/04/21 for my stress test maybe you could come and walk by my side, I’d like that. Ask mom to open her heart and arms and except and love Kim for me, she is going to need strength, courage, faith and love when I’m gone. I love you so much your son. Thomas Robert (Penny) DeLong. 04/30/2021
Tom I know Dad and Mom will both be by your side for your stress test. I just feel it – they will. They loved you so very much; their only son. I love you.
To my dearest Dad – I miss you and Mom every single day. You were my best friend while i had you here those few years. I hope you felt I did as much as I could to help you and alleviate some of your worries and pain. Now days i focus on the fun we had; shopping for flowers every spring; going out to lunch at Olive Garden and sitting in the table for 2 right next to the roaring fireplace and you having your soup and salad, and me having my calamari. We always found something to laugh at – you are a person that brightens everyone’s day as they meet you. That is a wonderful gift you had. Please watch over Tom during his test next week. Today is his birthday and i know he is worried and i am worried for him. If he feels you and mom are near, it will mean everything in the world to him. Remember how Keema and Mom were there when you had your PET scan and you saw them wearing sunglasses right in front of you and how happy you were when you came out of the test and told me. I hear your voice quite often just on Easter even i heard you say my name. Mom and you have been a presence in my life all along since you have left this world and into the next. I love you both til the world ends and we meet again. Your loving daughter, Terri Renee