EAST BLUE HILL – After 92 years of living life to its fullest, Thurston Long died in his sleep Sept. 8, 2007, in Ellsworth. He was a man of accomplishments and adventure, characterized by a life of good cheer and physical fitness. He had a passion for the State of Maine and appreciated every day that he was able to spend here. Born Sept. 4, 1915, in Stonington, he was the son of Fred Homer Long and Zora Thurston Long. After early schooling in East Blue Hill, he graduated from Classical High School, Providence, R.I. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Bates College in 1937 and a Masters of Science in hospital administration from Columbia University in 1949. His military service was from 1941 to 1946, advancing in the finance department of the Army to major. His assignments included the Aleutians and Korea. Thurston was an administrative resident and assistant director at Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1948 to 1952. He then became administrator of the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, a position he held for 28 years. During that time, operations thrived with plans laid for the construction of a new facility. He was a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators. He served as a member of the board of governors of the Greater New York Hospital Association from 1964 to 1967 and from 1971 to 1975. He was a member of the board of the Hospital Bureau, Inc, a national group purchasing organization, from 1959 to 1965 and from 1967 to 1973. He was president of this organization from 1969 to 1971 and chairman of the board from 1971 to 1973. After retirement, he was an enthusiastic volunteer for Peninsula Ambulance Corp and a corporator of Blue Hill Memorial Hospital. Historically active in organizational programs related to the church, he was a member of the board of trustees of Mamaroneck Methodist Church, Mamaroneck, N.Y., from 1965 to 1976, serving as president of the board during 10 of those years. He was a member of the board of directors of Bethel Methodist Home, Ossining, N.Y., from 1975 to 1980 and also served on the board of two related organizations, a skilled nursing facility and a retirement home. In Salem, Mass., he served as a deacon of the Unitarian church. He was most recently a member of the East Blue Hill Village Church. Thurston was married to Sibyl G. Long for 62 years. During that time, they traveled extensively. Thurston, in fact, traveled to all seven continents, including a crossing of the Drake Passage to Antarctica in 1986, where he enjoyed a brisk swim. Thurston was also devoted to health and fitness. His recipe for success included daily three-mile runs into 80s with a late afternoon glass of bourbon. He is survived by three daughters, Nancy L. Struve of South Salem, N.Y., Martha L. Pokras of Westborough, Mass., and Marian H. Long of Portland. Thurston’s grandchildren include, Gregory C. Struve of Portland, Amanda Pokras Ingham of Ayer, Mass., and Christina Pokras of Westborough, Mass. He was predeceased by his wife, Sibyl G. Long; and also his sister, Helena Long Mallett of Farmington. The family thanks all the caregivers who graciously and cheerfully supported Thurston. A joint celebration of both his and Sibyl’s lives will be held in the early summer of 2008, in East Blue Hill. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be welcomed by East Blue Hill Village Church, P.O. Box 38, East Blue Hill, ME 04629 or Peninsula Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 834, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Condolences may be expressed online at www.jordanfernald.com
THURSTON HOMER LONG
