Ronald Vincent

Ronald Vincent Long passed away peacefully in his home of 68 years on June 3, 2024 at the age of 95. Ron was born on February 20, 1929 to Agnes (Kay) O’Brien and Ben Lucero in Denver, Colorado.

Ron’s father died when he was very young. His mother was unable to fully care for him and Ron spent many summers of his youth at the O’Brien family farm in Nebraska and most of the school years at youth boarding homes.

As a teenager he came to live with his Uncle and Aunt, Ralph and Rosanna Long in Denver. They welcomed him and made him part of their family from the age of 15 until he left for military service. His mother, Kay, was always a part of his life as she lived just down the street from the family until her passing.

Ron was introduced to his wife, Marilyn, by Kay just after Marilyn moved to Denver. They were married on May 12, 1956, and had a beautiful, loving relationship celebrating 67 years of marriage before Marilyn’s passing last summer. They moved to the new community of Broomfield their second year of marriage and bought a house in one of the first developments where he and Marilyn raised their five children, Christine, Matt, Phil, Mary Jo, and John.

Family was always the center of Ron’s life; he was at school events, choir concerts, and the countless sporting events his kids participated in. He always made his family a priority. He loved anything sports related, both watching and playing. He and Marilyn and a group of close friends were early season ticket holders for the Broncos. He watched and talked about all the Denver teams through his life. He loved playing tennis and fishing, and later in life he would often be found on the golf course or racket ball court with both new and lifelong friends.

Ron was a man of deep faith and a founding member of Nativity of Our Lord Church in Broomfield. As with many of the early members, Ron and Marilyn were core to the growth of the church in Broomfield. Ron would drop anything to help someone in need and was always friendly to a stranger. Ron and his family spent summers at the Broomfield Swim and Tennis Club and he loved the two weeks of vacation the family took each July to YMCA’s Snow Mountain Ranch. During those trips he passed his love of the Colorado mountains to his family, where they made wonderful family memories together.

Ron was a veteran of the Korean War, stationed in Germany as an MP. Before being drafted, he worked for his uncle Ralph Long at Colorado Fruit and Vegetable and then at the Denver Army Surplus Store. Upon his return from Germany, Ron moved on from the Army Surplus Store into a successful career in medical sales; first in pharmaceutical sales before beginning his 27 year career with Bard Medical, winning multiple Salesman of The Year awards.

Ron and Marilyn loved traveling in their retirement. His favorite trips were to Alaska, Lake Powell, Italy and their multiple vacations to Santa Fe. Although they loved to travel, there was no place they loved more than Colorado. After his retirement, Ron and Marilyn did not spend a day apart until Marilyn’s passing last July.

Now he is with his beloved wife and son. Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn and son, Matt (Sue) and is survived by his children Christine, Phil (Vivianne), Mary Jo (Kip) and John (Jill), his 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Services for Ron will be held at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church in Broomfield on July 9th at 10:30. We ask that you arrive by 10:15 as the eulogy will be given prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers please consider giving to the Broomfield Community Foundation.