David Long

Outgoing and gregarious, Dave made everyone feel welcome. And it was easy to tell if Dave liked you: he’d be playing some kind of prank.
He never lost his Philly roots: cheesesteaks were only cheesesteaks if they were purchased at Pat’s. He was always looking for the perfect place to play some half ball: he claimed to have hit one over Liberty One. Dave bled green: if the “Birds” were on, they could hear his cheers all the way back in the city.
His hero was Muhammad Ali; Dave was a Golden Gloves fighter and trained at the famous Henley’s Gym. But he was into fitness long before it was a thing. He ate right, worked out for years and ran.
If he had one vice it was probably Wawa: Dave frequented it at least five times a day. Finishing lunch he’d be talking about what’s for dinner: Dave loved to eat.
He was a pipefitter for Local 322 and owned Derbys Taven for many years.
The Hi-Nella hard boy would meet a Somerdale girl named NeeCee. Their marriage was blessed by children: Frank and Dina; nieces, Maria and Jen; nephew, Wallie; his dogs, Molly, Louie and Oscar; and his cockatiel, Abby.
Come celebrate 66 great years from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, at St. Peter’s Church, Riverside. Interment will be held at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Welfare Association, www.awanj.org.
Sweeney Funeral Home,
Riverside