Joseph D. Longo, Jr.

Joseph D Longo Jr. Left this earth on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
Joe was born on February 21, 1950, to Joseph D and Phyllis (Lasby) Longo.  He enjoyed making many memories on West Court Street and Washington Park.  Joe graduated from Immaculate Conception School and went on to Boynton Middle School.
Joe attended Ithaca High School graduating in 1968.  While at IHS he was on the JV and Varsity Wrestling team plus spent two of his high school years on the golf team.
Upon graduating from Ithaca High Joe attended the inaugural class at Tompkins Cortland Community College.  While there he became the first student government president and created the first fraternity and wrestling team.  Upon graduation, he transferred to S.U.N.Y. Geneseo
Eventually, Joe moved to Florida where he worked in land surveying and Walgreens management.  Eventually, Joe became one of the head chefs at Papa Joes Restaurant in Brooksville where he worked until his retirement.  He was so immensely proud that, during these busy times,  he was able to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in criminology at St Leo University.
In 2005 a chance email reconnected Joe to his high school sweetheart.  He returned to Ithaca where he remained until his death.  While in Ithaca he worked for Taughannock Falls State Park, a job he truly loved.  His return to Ithaca enabled him to spend much more time making memories with his sister and brother and to reconnect with his childhood friend, Gary Bortz.
Joe entered Cayuga Medical Center on Wednesday, March 8 where he was later diagnosed with sepsis.  He spent his final days in the ICU undergoing numerous surgeries and transfusions while CMC valiantly tried to heal him.  After thirteen days of a determined struggle, Joe joined his mother and father, Phyllis and Joseph Longo along with his youngest brother, David. He was welcomed by his uncles and aunts,  Bill Lasby, Rocco and Carmela Longo, Mary and Ralph Bordoni along with several others.
Joe leaves behind his beloved son, Joseph D Longo III, and his partner Nichole Collins.  Joey was an absolute treasure for his father.  He loved him so much. Surviving him is his sister Yvonne (Longo) Swain and Tim Swain,  brother Nick Longo and  Barb (Swan) Longo.  He is also survived by many nephews and a niece plus their children.
Possibly the most difficult goodbye was for his partner Betty (Finch) Murphy who misses him always.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, July 17, 2023.  It will be held at the Center Pavilion at Taughannock Falls State Park at 2 pm.