Richard Crane DeLong, Jr., 61, of Pemaquid, peacefully passed away with his family by his side in Portland after a long illness. Rick was born in Worcester, Mass. on Aug. 19, 1950 to Barbara S. and Richard C. DeLong, Sr. and grew up in Westborough, Mass. As a child, he enjoyed his summers in Pemaquid and being on the water.
He attended Westborough High School where he played football, graduating in 1968. After graduating, he attended Springfield College and EMVTI and, after moving permanently to Maine, took several classes at the University of Maine.
Rick held many different jobs in his lifetime, including working for Somerville Lumber in Massachusetts for 13 years, first as a store manager and later as the buyer for millwork for the entire chain of stores. A lifelong computer geek, he eventually was able to work in the career of his dreams. In 1996, he began working for Miles Health Care (now Lincoln County Healthcare) in Damariscotta in the Information Systems Dept. At the time of his death, Rick was a Senior Support Specialist.
On April 21, 2009, after being together for 16 years, Rick and Julie Geyer eloped to Hawaii and were married on Waialae Beach in the shadow of Diamond Head.
From the age of 19, when Rick was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, his life was filled with many medical challenges which he faced with an incredibly positive attitude and a fierce sense of humor. On Sept. 10, 1992, he received his first kidney transplant from his sister, Kathy, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. After receiving the kidney, he volunteered with their program as a transplant mentor, meeting with people on the waiting list to tell them what to expect and to answer any of their questions. On Feb. 22, 2005 he received his second kidney transplant from his former co-worker and good friend, Claire Romano, at Maine Medical Center.
Rick was predeceased by his father in 2000 and his sister, Katharine, in 2008.
He is survived by his mother of Newcastle; best friend and wife, Julie DeLong; son Eric Clark & wife Margaret, and granddaughters, Casey & Nicole of Windham; his son Zachary DeLong and fiancée, Rachel of Upton, Mass.; sisters, Patricia Landry of Bristol and Judith DeLong of Milford, Mass.; his brother David and wife Cindy of Round Pond; his aunt Myrtle Reid of Newcastle; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MMC Transplant Program, Development Department, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04102; or to the Lincoln County Healthcare Nursing School, c/o Development Office, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
At Rick’s request, there will be no service. His ashes will be scattered off of Pemaquid Point. Friends and family are welcome to an open house at Rick and Julie’s home in Pemaquid on Sat., Oct. 15, from 1-4 p.m. If you are a Patriots fan, please feel free to wear your gear as Rick would have loved that.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.
