Robert (“Bob”, “Dad”, “Grandpa”, “Papa”) Owen Long, 75, of Scarborough, passed away suddenly on December 21st, 2021.

Bob was born on May 23rd, 1946 to Tom and Betty Long in Dunnville, ON. While a student at Dunnville High School, where he had keen interests in science, cars, ping pong, and playing clarinet and saxophone as a member of the Wilson Brooke's Orchestra and the Dunnville Band, Bob met Mary Haldane and the two began dating.

After graduating highschool in 1964, Bob went on to study chemistry at University of Waterloo, working nights as an office cleaner and co-op terms at the sewage treatment plant, while Mary worked days at Lackie Brothers. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, he began working full-time at McKauge Chemical.

Bob and Mary became husband and wife on Aug 13, 1970, going on to have two children, Selena and Amanda, now grown with families of their own.

In 1978, Bob and Mary began their own cleaning chemical manufacturing and distribution company, Crest Laboratories. A true family business where not only family, but friends, boyfriends and friends of boyfriends all got opportunities to log hours, Crest became a respected hub within the industry, supplying companies both large and small throughout Canada and into the US. Built from the ground up by Bob and the family, it became his professional life’s work until retirement in 2010 when he sold the company.

Bob was a self-made man, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, as shown through his constant generosity and support. He was so proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, always on hand for concerts, plays and games, often with video camera in hand.

Bob was passionate about many topics (computers, baseball/sports, gardening, aviation, politics) and was always up for a good debate, being so knowledgeable on so many subjects. When not at home, Bob could often be found in a field in Whitby, flying his remote-control planes with his friends in the Whitby Aero Modellers RC Flying Club.

Anyone who knew Bob knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Betty Long. Bob will be remembered with love and admiration by wife Mary, daughter Selena and son-in-law Glenn, daughter Amanda and son-in-law Tyler, grandchildren Riley, Sierra, Luka, Gabriel, Jacob and Summer, sister Diane and nephews Bret and Erik.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made on Bob’s behalf to Heart & Stroke Society, Cancer Society or your charity of choice. There will be a celebration of life at a future date once those who loved and respected Bob are able to come together.