Greenroofs.comConnecting the Planet + Living Architecture
With a heavy heart, we share the recent passing of our wonderful, kind colleague, Greg Long.
Greg Long had an amazing, joyful spirit and energy and a shared devotion to creating sustainable design. With a ready smile, he was always generous about sharing information and project experience. Greg touched so many people through the establishment of his design/build/maintain business, Capitol Greenroofs and its Group Site, an excellent discussion group forum.
“On April 28th, 2018 Greg Long passed due to complications of treatment for advanced cancer. Many in the Washington, DC area knew him as a long term greenroof/greenwall promoter, designer, installer and owner of Capitol Greenroofs.
Greg grew up in Northern PA and went to Penn State University for a BA in Landscape Architecture. After college he worked in the DC area at several engineering and architectural firms before catching the Greenroof bug and starting to promote these to anyone who would listen. For 12 years he was a member of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) and was a certified Green Roof Professional (GRP).
Aside from work, he was an avid outdoorsman who liked to fish, camp, hike, snowboard, and float down river in any way possible. Making friends whether at work or play was very important to him and he will be missed by many.” ~ Bob Long
Here are a couple of photos I took of previous CitiesAlive conferences:
Greg with Haven Kiers in 2006 at the Boston CitiesAlive Green Roof Conference (then known as Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities).
Carolina Stonecrops and Capitol Greenroofs exhibiting at the 2008 CitiesAlive in Baltimore. Bob Long is center and Greg is on the right.
Greg certainly will be missed by many within the Washington Metro Area, throughout North America, and beyond. His high quality body of greenroof work will stand as a testament to his passion for living architecture. Just some of his many projects include the American Psychological Association (APA) Headquarters, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Pollak Building, American Psychological Association (APA)/ World Resources Institute (WRI) HQ, City of Charlottesville City Hall/Police Station, U.S. Tax Court, and the Herrity Building Parking Garage Demonstration Garden.
In Greg Long’s memory, we are featuring one of his outstanding works from 2014, the American Psychological Association (APA) Headquarters, as our current Project of the Week.
The photo below during construction of the American Psychological Association (APA) Headquarters shows Greg and his team’s commitment to getting the job done, even during tough and challenging weather.
“Even the northeaster that blew through with some driving snow showers couldn’t keep us from meeting our deadline. Not ideal to work but hey….sometimes you just have to deal with what mother nature throws at you.” ~ Greg Long, Capitol Greenroofs, 2014
Greg didn’t search out the spotlight, and so I don’t have any more photos at the moment to share. We would like to invite everyone interested to add your comments and send condolences below to Greg’s father, Robert (Bob) Long of Carolina Stonecrops. Please send photos to linda@greenroofs.com and I’ll add them to this post.
Greg will be sorely missed by and family and friends, and all of us within the greenroof community send our heartfelt condolences to his dad, Bob Long, and Greg’s loved ones.
Greg, may you rest in peace.
By Linda S. Velazquez, ASLA, LEED AP, GRP
Greenroofs.com Publisher & Greenroofs & Walls of the World™ Virtual Summits Host
Kerry Ross
I am touched and saddened by Greg’s passing. He was such a warm and generous person who I always enjoyed chatting with at the annual Cities Alive conference. My deepest condolences to Greg’s family and friends.
Rose Seeger
I did not know this, thank you for posting. We never got to meet but we did communicate about green roof projects and like you said he was always eager to help and seemed like an awesome person. Very sad to hear this. Prayers for his family he will be missed.
Reuben
Thanks for your gracious, generous spirit, Greg! We always had a good talks whenever we met, and your energy will be missed. My heart goes out to your loved ones and family. Rest in Peace.
tim barrett
Having worked with Greg on several Green Roof installations and sharing a few drinks with him I few a profound loss to our industry and the world is a bit worse for our loss.
My condolences to Bob Long and his extended family.
vanessa keitges
I am so sorry for this loss in the industry. I literally wrote him on July 2, 2018 — telling him I had a deal for him! Sending the best to family and friends! Vanessa, CEO Columbia Green Technologies
PETER ENSIGN
I greatly miss Greg. He was a dear friend and colleague. Greg was generous with his time and his heart. He was instrumental in helping DC Greenworks in the early 2000’s move into green roofs. Later when I joined, we worked together on several projects sharing equipment and personnel. Greg always followed through on his commitments. I especially recall and will miss his smile, humor and optimism. Journey well, my brother…
Jon N Crumrine
Though he didn’t mention it when we spoke, now I know why Greg couldn’t meet with me when I was in DC in February. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but in our conversations it was apparent he was a generous and thoughtful person – and an expert with vegetative roofs. Rest peacefully, I’m sure you’re missed…
Rebecca Stack
Greg was an early promoter of green roofs in the District of Columbia. He was an active contributor to DC’s first green roof advisory committee. His work helped to spark and nurture the District’s green roof incentive program. His group site has been a great community resource. A special thank you to Greg’s good friend Paul Herron(Sage Craftsmen)for encouraging us all to re-engage and keep the site going: http://capitolgreenroofs.groupsite.com
Jim Mumford
I’m stunned. I haven’t seen Greg in a couple of years and had no idea he was battling cancer. Always a good guy, always a quick laugh and helpful conversation. My step dad was the CEO of APA at the time they were planning their new headquarters. He knew my interest in green roofs and as a result he incorporated it into the design. Greg was the contractor chosen for the contract. As a result, we will always be connected.
Jeffrey Lawhead
Sorry to hear this news. I had a chance to first meet Greg in DC during the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Conference. If I recall he was still putting together the plan for Capitol Greenroofs. Now in Denver, I see the momentum for green infrastructure in large part to the example he set. His legacy will certainly live on through this work and the people he befriended. RIP, Greg.
Anonymous
Having worked with greg for a few months i got to know how important he was to the green roof industry. He use to tell me” I don’t care about being rich i just want to build some green roof. Its what makes me happy.” He was a great friend. We use to text at least twice a week. He will be missed?
Olyssa Starry
This is unbelievable, and I’m furious that cancer has taken yet another beautiful person. Greg was always so supportive and encouraging of students and researchers. I look forward to honoring his memory.
Dave Tilley
Professionally, Greg was spectacular and the best spirit. Personally I had one of my best green roof meeting experiences when I had the pleasure to hang with Greg as we rode the train from O’Hara into the city and then stopped for coffee and a muffin (or 2). Greg will be missed terribly.
Kelliann Whitley
Greg took our Green Roof at 1425 K Street from beautiful to awesome. Greg was passionate, bright and loved what he did. I will miss his expertise and outstanding service.
My deepest condolences to Greg’s Family.
Brian Cooper
I worked for Greg for a few months after graduating college. Despite the job being quite different from my expectations I definitely learned quite a lot about not only greenroof construction but landscape construction as well. I got to witness and perform installations firsthand as well as understand what goes in to building beautiful green spaces. Greg always gave a lot of effort and had a lot of passion about what he envisioned. He was always thinking bigger and always wanted to set new goals. Despite not being with him for very long unfortunately, I look back at it now and I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me. I miss the feeling of waking up in the morning knowing I would be outside rolling down sod or putting together an irrigation system. Rest easy G-Long!