T.V. Long

Thomas Victor Long, affectionately known as “TV”,75, of Avenue, Maryland, passed away at Med Star Georgetown University Hospital on September 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife, and friends.  He was born on August 11, 1951 in Leonardtown, MD, to the late Joseph Ollie Long and the late Mary Emily Long.

TV married the love of his life, Brenda Long on July 20, 1968, in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Thomas “Chris” Long (Kate) of Avenue, MD, daughter Erin   Tiede (Jason) of Chaptico, MD; four grandchildren Shannon Hair (Josh), Morgan Hart (Adam), Justin Tiede (Abbie), and Makenzie Tiede (Mason); four great grandchildren, Jack and Jett Hair, Ridge and Della Rose Hart and a great grand baby girl expected any day; Siblings Buddy and Ray (Sarah) Long of Leonardtown, MD, Bill (Susan) Long of Waldorf, MD, Gary (Anna) Long of Clements, MD, Ricky (Gerry) Long of Avenue, MD and Melanie Poole of Avenue, MD; multiple nieces and nephews who were very special to him.  T.V. was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Long.

T.V. was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, he received his High School Diploma from Chopticon High School and completed Business courses at Charles County Community College. T.V. began working for the U.S. House of Representative, Office Supply Store in 1968.  He ordered supplies for Members of Congress and their Staff for 18 years.  He took a risk in 1982 and accepted a position with Boise Cascade Office Products Division when they began operations in Jessup, MD as an Account Executive.  He became a very successful sales representative by using his strong interpersonal skills, building genuine trust and credibility and ensuring that every customer was satisfied.  He landed IBM, Amtrak, US House of Representatives Office Supply, Lockheed Martin accounts to name a few.  He was Inner Circle Winner for several years as well as winner of the Sales Executive Council.  He retired from Boise/Office Max in 2007.  In 2009 he started the Avenue Flags and Flag Poles business.  He installed numerous flag poles throughout St. Mary’s County.  He also sold US, Maryland, St. Mary’s County, NFL and many custom-made flags.

T.V. was a devoted husband, a fiercely proud father, and a doting grandfather and great grandfather who never missed a little league game, a dance recital, Christmas play, and many other events.  Outside of his career and family, he could often be found tending to his garden, building a soap box derby car, a cardboard boat and he even built a Pontoon Boat from pieces.  He was an excellent artist carving and painting many decoys.  He won many first and second place awards at the Ward World Championship Waterfowl Carving Competition.  He was a longtime volunteer for the 7^th District Optimist Club as well as President and Vice President for the Club. He was a member of the Holy Angels Catholic Church Parish Council and a Lecturer.

He touched the lives of many with his profound sense of humor, warmth, creativity and outgoing nature.  He was very selfless and someone that everyone looked up to.  He was a genuine friend and possessed an uncanny ability to connect to just about anyone.  TV was passionate about music, particularly Oldies but Goodies, Country-Western, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Hendrix and More.  He learned to play the guitar at an early age and would join the band whenever we went to an event with a live band.  He was especially notorious for making the Train Sound whenever Johnny Cash’s song, I Hear the Train a Comin was played. He loved his cars; a Corvette, Camaro, Bronco just to name a few.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with prayers being recited at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 11:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church of Avenue, MD with Father Gurney officating.  Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD.  Serving as pallbearers will be Buddy Long, Bill Long, Ray Long, Gary Long, Ricky Long and Justin Tiede.  Honorary Pallbearers will be David Cullins, Ronnie Mattingly, Johnny Butterfield, Gilbert Murphy, Don Owens, Donnie Bowles, and Bernie Owens.

Contributions may be made to the Seventh Dist. Vol. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD  20609.

Arrangements made by Mattingly Gardner Funeral Home.