Gregory Anthony Longo

GREGORY ANTHONY LONGO, long-time resident of Chestnut Hill, died unexpectedly of mesothelioma on January 29, 2021, at his home in Columbus, Georgia, where he had moved to be closer to his daughter and her family. Greg was born on January 5, 1950, in Chestnut Hill Hospital to Ruth M. (Thomas) Longo and Anthony J. Longo of Chestnut Hill. He attended Our Mother of Consolation School and Cardinal Dougherty High School, from which he graduated in 1967. He also attended the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, currently known as Thomas Jefferson University. From 1969 to 1975 he served in the US Army including a tour in Vietnam, after which he was awarded various commendations and medals including the Vietnam Service medal with two Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal and a Bronze Star Medal. For many years Greg worked at the Container Corporation of America in Philadelphia. He was able to do just about anything with his hands, and what he didn’t know how to do or fix, he learned on his own. As an employee of Merck Pharmaceutical Company, he traveled to many medical and pharmaceutical companies to calibrate their intricate and delicate machines. Greg was a spirited guy, funny, playful and loved little pranks, and sometimes we wondered how he thought of the funny things he said and did. He played golf at Sandy Run Country Club with his Dad and other family members. He made the best meatballs and Italian fried chicken, loved ice cream at Bredenbeck’s, steak sandwiches from D’Allessandro’s, Gershwin, and homemade brownies! Greg sometimes showed a “gruff” exterior, but he was tender, sensitive and had a loving heart. He spent years of his life caring for his Mom and Dad as they aged, and was always ready to help a neighbor by shoveling snow, mowing lawns, planting and harvesting the family garden and then sharing the fruits of his labor with neighbors and even folks he didn’t know who stopped to admire his handiwork. He was opinionated and strong in his beliefs and he didn’t mind telling you what they were! He was always ready for a good conversation on important topics but had little patience with folks who didn’t think things through. After more than three years of various lung problems, he finally learned of his lung cancer at the beginning of January, received a firm diagnosis on January 22 and left this earth one week later. His Mom and Dad preceded him in death, as did his sister Mary Gabor (Ron) and infant brother Frankie. He is survived by his daughter Jacqueline Dansby (Brian) and grandchildren Annalise and Briceson Dansby of Hamilton, Georgia, his sisters Tina Melissen (Leo) of Ardsley, PA and S. Toni Longo, ASC of Columbia, PA and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Chestnut Hill on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 10:00AM. If you are not able to attend in person, the Mass will be livestreamed on the parish website www.omcparish.com. In lieu of flowers, please give a donation in Greg’s name to OMC, the Vietnam Veterans of America or your favorite charity.