CASCO — Melvin L. (Dad, Mel, Grampa Mel) Long, 91, of Casco passed from this life surrounded by his cherished family on January 8, 2024.

Born in Monroe County, Indiana, in 1932, to James and Idna Long, Mel enjoyed a happy childhood with many friends surrounding him for countless adventures. Mel attended Unionville High School (Ind.), and after graduation proudly joined the United States Navy, where he served as a seaman for three years. When he hung up his uniform for the last time Nancy Harriman caught his eye and stole his heart. They were married in November 1955 and not soon after settled down in Casco, where they raised their five wonderful children.

Mel worked as a machinist for Dielectric and traveled across the United States and Canada installing strobe lights on many now iconic towers including the WGAN tower here in Maine, The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, and The CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. After leaving Dielectric, Mel continued his career as a machinist in jobs at Shively Lab, Howell Lab, and Unique Machine until his retirement.

But his work did not define him as he found great joy pursuing life in the great outdoors and all it offered him. He saw Maine as his playground and spent many joy-filled days fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and camping. Of course, as an Indiana boy to his core, Mel was an avid fan of every Hoosier State team — especially those from Indiana University. Mel was a member of the Crooked River Masonic Lodge for many decades and earned the honor of Master Mason in 1973.

On October 13, 2005, just one month shy of what would have been their 50th wedding anniversary Mel’s loving wife Nancy passed and he was once again a single man. But bachelorhood was not meant to be for Mel because he soon reconnected with a dear old family friend Eunice Bartlett who, on September 2, 2006, became his second cherished wife. Their union joined two families giving them a blessing of 12 children, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and, happily, great-great-grandchildren. And as a duo, Mel and Eunice spent many days traveling the country visiting members of their seemingly ever-growing family. And being with family was something that brought a twinkle to his eyes and a broad loving smile to his lips.

Mel was predeceased by his first wife Nancy, his son David, his grandsons Joshua Plummer and Christopher Winslow, stepson Bradley Bartlett, sons-in-law Stephen Hunt and Jeffrey Plummer.

He is survived by and will be sadly missed by his wife Eunice Long, daughters Beth Hunt of Naples, Martha Capano and her husband Dan of Windham, Sarah (Plummer) Howe and her husband Scott of Naples, son Alan and his wife Patsy of Casco, stepdaughter Betty Hayes and her husband Kerry of Bridgton, step daughter-in-law Olia Cobb of Yarmouth, stepsons Barry Bartlett and his wife Elizabeth of Scarborough, Bruce Bartlett of Otisfield, Brent Bartlett and his wife Corina of Poland, Benjamin Bartlett and his wife Laura of Coldbrook, Conn., and Byron Bartlett and his husband Chris Kast of Portland. He is also survived by 32 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Per Mel’s request, a private service will be held for family only. Those wishing to pay their respects to the family are invited to join them at an Open House on January 20 at Mel and Eunice’s home at 2 Lord Road, Casco from 1 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mel’s memory to the Casco Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department of which he was a founding member.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco. www.hallfuneralhome.net.