Joseph Thomas “Joe” Longton, 65, passed away at his home in Urbanna on Saturday, Sept. 18.
Born on Sept. 24, 1955, he was a man who loved and lived life to its fullest. Joe was everyone’s best friend.
He was predeceased by his parents, Cyril and Helen Longton; and is survived by the love of his life, Laura; his siblings, Chuck Longton (Sue), Pat Willard (Bill) Nancy Willard (Bob), Linda Rollins, Joann Longton, Peter Longton (Anna) and Billy Longton (Julie); and several nieces and nephews, all of whom were his favorites.
He will be so missed by Jack and Adi, his Boston terrier friends and is now playing with Oakley who has passed over the rainbow bridge.
Joe loved the Boston Red Sox but tolerated Laura’s love of the New York Yankees. He was a devout Pittsburgh Steelers fan, a hunter and fisherman and was a proud member of Lee Hall Boys Club. He spent 30 plus years at Newport News Shipbuilding, engineering and designing submarines.
Joe was instrumental in the recovery of Hilliard’s Mill Pond after the dam breached in 2003 and worked tirelessly until it was returned to its natural state.
Joe was a loving, generous, fun and caring man, whose bear hugs warmed anyone who was lucky enough to receive one. He saw a need and filled it, no questions asked.
Laura and Joe’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24 at the Faulkner Funeral Home, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel in Saluda. A celebration of Joe’s life will be conducted on Saturday at noon at a location to be determined.
