No hole-in-one this time… A golfer, amateur artist, and TV movie fan, passed away on December 4, 2024 at Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire. He loved doing geography due to his interest in jigsaw puzzles, coins, nature, and living things of all kinds. Nick was loyal to sports teams such as the Chicago Bears, Celtics, and Los Angeles Dodgers and loved college football and basketball. Go Big Ten!! Like many of us, he has recently become interested in women’s sports at the collegiate and professional levels. With more free time, he watched other sports, ME TV, and science fiction.
Nick was born in Burlington, Iowa, on December 5, 1942, to Clem Q. Long and Gladys Purkey Long, both of East Tennessee. His sister, Ann McCormary, and her husband, Kevin McCormary, live in Washington, DC. Ann and Nick were close siblings, only three years apart. Nick was married to his wife, Nancy Setterberg Long, for 59 years. Nick and Nancy loved their family even more because they weren’t blessed with children.
Nieces and nephews who preceded Nick in death were Craig Savastano and Kathy Savastano Malicewski of Tucson, Arizona, and his godson, Patrick Henry McCormary of Baltimore, Maryland. Nick and Nancy’s parents and several of his wife’s siblings preceded him in death.
Her family includes her brother-in-law, Don and Marge Setterberg of Ames, Iowa. niece Niamh McCormary Hopper and her husband Andy Hopper and their two children Saoirse and Ewan Hawkeye Hopper of Baltimore, Maryland; niece-in-law Niki McCormary and two children Rumi and Seamus of Baltimore, MD; nieces Vicki Setterberg and Stacey Setterberg of Ames, Iowa, Staceys;
two daughters, Skyler Patty Morgan and her husband, Morgan Lipke, and their two children, and Sheila Hunziker and her husband, Shane Morgan, and their six children; nephews, Mark Setterberg and his wife, Ann, and their daughter, Allison, and nephews, Chris Savastano, and his wife, Kim, and their two children, Roman and Sienna, of Houston, Texas;
Important to Nick were his friends from two golf leagues and former mini-golf co-owners Dave and Steve Fairbanks from Stillwater, Oklahoma. It was a partnership that included Nick and Nancy Long. His wife Kathy Fairbanks and the late Carol Fairbanks made up the remaining members of the group. I think the many stories told by his golfer friends, especially his personal foursome, give you an idea of who he is. The Myrtle Beach snowbirds were also special friends, and Nick and Nancy Long enjoyed the beach, snowbird activities, and North Myrtle Beach UMC. Imagine Nick playing the part of a horse in those games.
Nick was always available to help with church events at Main Street UMC in Nashua, New Hampshire. At church yard sales, he would test out electronics and use humor to sell his wares. Nick and Nancy hosted Joyful Shepherd events in their home, with Nick serving as grill master along with various associates including his beloved friends Roger Hall and Barry LeBlanc. At the Joyful Christmas Party, Roger and Nick hide in the kitchen pretending to cook, but they actually cook. All kinds of church activities in which Nancy was involved helped Roger Hall and Joyce Tagliaferro. In the words of Pam Brenizer, Nick is a very accomplished artist and his paintings are enjoyed in many people’s homes.
Nick has worked as an electrical engineer and engineer and has several patent awards for several groups he has worked with at Bull INC in Billerica, Massachusetts. He made many friends there and through all his activities. His family and friends say he was a wonderful man, and his wife agrees.
Donations in Nick’s memory may be made if desired to Main St. UMC, PO Box 1517 Nashua, NH 03061 or Community Hospice House 210 Naticook Rd Merrimack, NH 03054, or at the wake or funeral. Small donations help both groups help those in need.
