Armand Longo

Armand Longo, age 91, of Wayne, passed on Friday, February 3, 2023 at home.

He was born to John and Rose Longo at the family home in Jersey City. He was raised in Jersey City and was a gymnast at Snyder High School where he graduated with the Class of 1949. He continued his education at Jersey City Junior College and later the Newark College of Engineering where he took night classes until receiving his Associates Degree in Mathematics.

He was always a worker, starting as a 14-year old at the Ocean Avenue Nut Shop in Jersey City.  His first ‘real job’ was at the Lightolier Company in Jersey City engineering lamps and lighting fixtures, where he met Dolores, his bride to be.  He even had a side hustle hawking ball point pens to local shops - as they were new and all the rage back then.  For a time as a young working man, he would hand half his earnings to his mom, only ever asking “Ma, is that enough”.  A true testament to his character and commitment to family.  For thirty-nine years he worked as a draftsman in the aerospace division of the Bendix Corporation in Teteboro having retired in 1993.  Throughout his career, he could have often been found moonlighting at his drafting table in the basement. 

His life was a work of caring and providing for others - always ‘there for you’, even if to offer a “Just go to work, you’ll be fine.”.  He faced life with love, commitment, humor, pragmatism and even a stern tilt of the head and words to match, as he was often prompted by the impish follies of four boys!

In his retirement he and Dolores enjoyed being “snowbirds” living between Wayne and West Palm Beach, Florida, traveling throughout the United States and Canada, and because she never liked driving -  being Dolores’ chauffeur ( Driving Miss Dee).  Both he and Dolores did everything together, whether it was visiting the grandchildren, attending their sporting events, or volunteering at the Red Cross in Fairfield.  They were always together. Armand was a proud AARP member and always asking for his “senior discount.” He was also a regular fixture that the Packanack and Jackson Avenue Dunkin Donuts, as well as the Pompton Queen Diner. Through the years he was also a member of Toastmasters and an avid bowler.

Armand was the loving husband to Dolores Longo for 70 years; devoted father of James Longo and his wife Marge of Middletown, Eugene Longo and his wife Terry of Chapel Hill, NC, John Longo and his wife Vicki of Nutley, and the late Armand Longo (d. 2021) and the late Maryann Montano (d. 2009) and her surviving husband Nick of Landing; he was the cherished grandfather of eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his siblings Ralph, Rocco, Louise, and Angie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Warriors Heart Foundation would be greatly appreciated.