Obituary of S. Bradley DeLong

It is with profound sadness that the family of Brad Delong, of Quispamsis, announce his sudden passing on Saturday, March 24, 2018. Born in Saint John on April 30, 1958, he was a son of Margaret and the late Donald DeLong. Survived by the love of his life of 40 years, Sue (Dykeman) DeLong, his loving daughters; Robyn DeLong (Kyle McKinnon) of Quispamsis, and Nicole DeLong (Mark Gillingham) of Fredericton, brother Mark DeLong of Moncton, grandchildren; Ava, Mairin, Isla, Oliver and Bronwyn. Brad is also survived by his sisters in law, Barb Toole (Mike), Donna (the late Peter Dykeman), brother in law, Bruce Dykeman (Cathy) and several nieces and nephews. Brad had a large extended family with many uncles, aunts, and cousins with whom he was very close. He was predeceased by his in-laws, Valerie and Ted Dykeman. Brad graduated valedictorian at New Albert School and went on to graduate from Millidgeville North High School in 1976. Brad attended UNBSJ, taking a break in his studies to open family businesses with his parents at the Lancaster Mall (Take 5, Maggie D’s and The WoolChest). With the support and encouragement of his family, Brad pursued his Bachelor of Social Work and his Master of Social Work at McGill University in Montreal. Upon completion of his MSW, Brad and his family moved to Ottawa and he began his career as a Social Worker. While in Ontario Brad worked for 7 years with Correctional Services Canada and The John Howard Society in Ottawa. He also opened the first boot camp for young offenders in Moonstone, Ontario in 1997. After 12 years in Ontario, Brad and Sue made the decision to move home to New Brunswick to be closer to family. Brad began working at Family Plus (formerly Family Services) and developed the esteemed Families in Transition (FIT) program. Brad enjoyed 10 years of employment at Family Plus, earning a reputation as one of the most respected social workers in the business. In 2009 Brad and his colleague and friend Andrea Northrup established Family Matters Counselling Services in Rothesay. Brad went on to take a management role at Horizon Health as the manager of the Youth and Adolescent Team in Sussex while at the same time growing his private practice. At the time of his death, Brad was the team co-ordinator of the ISD program in Hampton and he had a private practice that he thoroughly enjoyed. Brad took immense pride in his career; he was well respected by colleagues, professional affiliates and clients. He had a gift and he truly loved his work. He had great empathy for the clients he worked with. His work colleagues were his friends and he enjoyed their comradery and friendship. Brad took great pride in his daughter Robyn’s decision to follow in his footsteps and become a Social Worker. Together they worked on the FIT team for 5 years and Robyn joined the Family Matters practice in 2010. He was equally as proud of his youngest daughter Nicole, who followed the family tradition in the helping profession as a successful Occupational Therapist in Fredericton. The profession of social work has lost one of the best. It is our hope that his legacy will continue in the work of his colleagues/friends who will carry with them his skills, knowledge and love of the profession. One of Brad’s greatest loves was working alongside his parents and extended family (The Alexanders) at the Town and Country Camp park and Drive-In Theatre. The DeLong and Alexander families operated the Camp park and Drive In for 42 years and Brad never missed a summer, an opening or closing night. After the sale of the Drive-In in 2008, Brad and his dad filled their time with a shared passion of finding old furniture and giving it new life. He loved nothing more than working alongside his dad, restoring and renewing "Brad’s finds" and together they created many masterful pieces. Above all, Brad was a family man and he loved his family fiercely. Brad and Sue created a home that welcomed family and friends and they took great pleasure in hosting family get-togethers and the annual Boxing Day party. Brad and Sue’s door was always open and over the years they adopted many friends as family. Brad and Sue celebrated 40 years of marriage on January 6th, 2018. They were looking forward to celebrating this milestone with a trip to the Canadian Rockies in the fall. His love of his family did not stop at the human kind; his family was made up of many fur babies, big and small throughout the years. His fur babies, River, Ellie Mae, Albert and Ticket will miss him immensely. As a family, we want Brad to be remembered for his compassion, generosity, humility and kind heart. Brad lived his life with integrity and found joy in helping others. His quiet strength and unassuming presence provided a safe space for family and friends to seek advice and comfort, share a laugh or a cry, celebrate successes or problem solve challenges. Brad was a man of few words; he listened with intention and when he did speak it was thoughtful and assertive and delivered with years of wisdom; he was a friend, a mentor and father-figure to many. Brad had a wicked sense of humour and was known for his one-line zingers; we will miss his smile and the way that he would laugh the most when he thought he was particularly funny. Brad loved his Saturday outings with his Mom, Sunday family suppers, summer vacations in Old Orchard and his Toyota Tacoma. Although we are immensely saddened by his passing, we can not lose sight of the gift that he was to those who knew and loved him and for that, we will forever be grateful. Resting at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis (849-2119) with visiting on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8PM. A celebration of Brad's life will be held at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 1:30 PM. Interment to take place at Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. In keeping with Brad’s philosophy of life, the family would ask that in the coming days that you consider making a random act of kindness /paying it forward in his memory. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to Bobby's Hospice, a charity near and dear to Brad’s heart.