Melvin C. "Stubby" Longware

June 23, 1929 - June 16, 2016

Elizabethtown Melvin C. Longware, known to most as "Stubby" or "Stub" Longware died on June 16, 2016 at the age of 86. He was born on June 23, 1929 at the original Elizabethtown Hospital to the late Melvin Vincent and Alta Bohlman Longware. As a young boy, Stubby helped his father run several gas stations located along Route 9 and graduated from the Old Elizabethtown School in 1946. For many years, he continued working with his father operating a sawmill, an electrical business, and an oil delivery service, M. Longware and Sons Oil. Stubby serviced oil burners and delivered oil throughout the winter days and nights, never letting a family go without a heated home. Stub and his family were avid winter skiers and snowmobilers, as well as summertime boaters. He and Gretna both were charter members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-12, past commanders of the Westport Flotilla, and co-taught many NY State Youth Boating courses. As a team, they spearheaded the Friends of Hurricane Fire Tower effort that ultimately preserved the historic tower for future generations to enjoy. Stub was a volunteer firefighter and Fire Chief, as well as a Kiwanis member and President. His hobbies included scuba diving, scrapping metal and fixing things, and could repair almost anything that was broken, except for his daughters' hearts. Stub is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Gretna May Lewis Longware and a son, Jerrold Lee. He is survived by his four daughters and their husbands, Janice and George Hainer, Judith and David King, Alta Jo Longware and Brad Caldwell, and Charlene and Stan Neer; three grandchildren Heidi King Johnson, Adam Hainer, and Brittany Hainer; two great grand children, Geoffrey Johnson and Emma Johnson; and one sister, Marjorie M. Liddy. The family will received gusts from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM Wednesday June 22, 2016 at United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery in Elizabethtown. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Elizabethtown Lewis Ambulance Squad or the United Church of Christ. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home, 7521 Court Street, Elizabethtown. To light a memorial candle or leave an online condolence please visit www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com