Ty Long, Painting Contractor Dedicated To His Employees

Seattle painting contractor Ty Long might not have been born with a brush in his hand. But he might as well have been.

"His father was a painter, and he wanted Ty to join him in the business, so I imagine he had a paintbrush in his hand not much after his first birthday," said Mike Cassidy, president of Mr. Long's Long Painting Co. and Long Services Corp., a hazardous-materials handling firm.

From that time - and particularly after graduating from Franklin High School - Mr. Long was rarely without the latest painting equipment. He spent 12 hours a day at job sites, which included many Seattle bridges and high-rises, state ferries and the Kingdome.

He spent other hours overseeing restoration or maintenance of his sailboats and collector cars.

Mr. Long died of cancer Monday, Nov. 18. He was 57.

"He wasn't very much of a vacationer, but he just loved people and he loved his work," said his daughter, Kathleen Smith of Renton.

He tried to be involved in each of his employees' learning process, said his daughter. He pushed for the formation of the Labor/Management Cooperation Fund in Washington, which promotes education within the industry and which has been copied nationwide.

"If a young employee needed a house, he'd help them buy it," said Mr. Long's wife of 36 years, Anne Long of Bellevue. "He was very dedicated to helping the young people around South Park, where our company is located. He painted the community-center wading pool and took care of painting at our church."

Born in Nampa, Idaho, Mr. Long moved with his family to Seattle at age 4. He worked with his father until 1967, when he and his wife formed their own company.

At first they used a room in their house for an office and the garage for a shop. They did small commercial work. Then they expanded and went into sandblasting and painting, industrial and marine work, and asbestos and lead-paint abatement.

One of Long Painting's more publicized jobs was sandblasting the Kingdome roof in 1994.

Another job that has kept the Long companies busy is Bill Gates' new Medina residence.

"Ty was extremely driven," Cassidy said. "He was very goal-oriented and had an absolute passion for seeing the work was done the best it could be done. He was not afraid to invest in the newest technology and newest equipment but also wanted to see employees excel."

Mr. Long's other survivors include two grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 8501 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island.

Remembrances may go to St. Matthews Lutheran Church Single Mothers Program, 1700 Edmonds Ave. N.E., Renton, WA 98056.