Eric R. Long of Monument Beach and Newark, Vt. passed away on June 8, 2014. Eric was born and raised in St Johnsbury, Vt. and was the son of the late E. Marguerite (Peg) Long and Earle Long. He was a proud graduate of St Johnsbury Academy and Vermont Technical College. Eric was the proprietor of Main Street Exxon in Buzzards Bay for many years. He later developed the property into a successful strip mall and established Timberline Power Equipment at the same location. He was most recently the owner of Clay Pond Power Equipment in Monument Beach in the same building once owned by his father, from whom he inherited his mechanical ability. Eric was a master mechanic who did not need a computer to diagnose a mechanical problem and was renowned as the go-to-guy for all things Volkswagen. He also mentored many budding mechanics throughout his life as well as a future engineer. Eric was known for his daredevil shenanigans, dry sense of humor and irreverent wisecracking. Some of his adventures are legend, such as the time he and his friend Howard took an Easy Rider-esque cross-country motorcycle trip but much to their chagrin had to make the return trip with the motorcycles in the back of a U-Haul van. Eric was happiest spending time at the log cabin he built in Newark, Vt. and enjoying the surrounding outdoors with his beloved dog Jack. He also enjoyed golfing, target shooting, and more recently, gardening. He was a very talented cook who loved to prepare and share a meal with family and friends. His most cherished role was that of father of his beloved daughter Erica. He loved his family, friends and Jack. All who knew him benefited from the generous and gentle-hearted nature that lay beneath his sometimes gruff, tough guy exterior. In addition to Erica, he is survived by his father Earle Long and his wife MaryAnne of Hauula, Hawaii, his sister Michal Dalton and her husband Ed of Jamaica Plain, Mass., his brother Tim and his wife Cheryl of Logan, Utah, and a niece Elisabeth Dalton of Jamaica Plain, Mass. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Tim, Josh, Jake, Liz, and Sariah of Calif., and many good friends. A special acknowledgement to Bruce Hazen, friend of 55 years. Visiting hours will be Sunday, June 15, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Nickerson- Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd., Bourne, Mass. A Funeral service will be held at 6:30 p.m. A celebration of Eric's life will held in Vermont at a future date. Donations in Eric's memory may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, 10 Chandler St., Boston, MA 02116, or to a charity of your choice.