After a short illness our father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed from this mortal life to be enriched on a fairer shore. Although his family has been saying tearful goodbyes and observing his leaving, we know that there is a great rejoicing in heaven at his coming. Among some of those rejoicing are his daughter Nadine (Sammi) Rasmussen, his parents, his brothers and sisters, our beloved Shetland Island ancestors and even some of the noble fathers of old with whom Alan felt such a deep and abiding kinship.
Alan was born August 24, 1932 in South Shields, England to George Longstaff and May Laurenson. He joined the church in England and wrote to the French mission to obtain a pen pal. He started corresponding with Yvette, who he would later meet and would become his sweetheart.
They were married for 63 years until his passing. Alan was always wanting to expand his borders and opportunities and immigrated to America with his wife and son in 1957, where he established a successful business. Alan had a deep love for the Lord and scripture.
He loved the hymns but didn’t sing from a hymn book, because he had everything memorized. Always the scholar, Alan took on a soulful quest of Jewish history. He deepened it to a rich understanding of the Bible and the continual tender mercies the Lord extends to his people.
He was always proud of his father who had served in the Queens Royal Regiment and was heavily involved in the liberation of Jerusalem in 1917. Alan attended the survivors of the Holocaust gatherings from time to time and was lovingly nicknamed “the Gentile Jew”. Alan enlightened others with his clear-cut perspectives and unique understanding of Bible history, his stellar memory to assist him.
It has been said of him that he can add one single thing to a lesson that leaves you thinking for 4 days. Alan was known as a jovial, colorful character in the old Granite farming community where he moved with his family in 1967. His dry humor carried him subtly against the grain, often leaving people in stitches.
As a mason contractor at the BYU Film Studios, he and a few of his children were invited to participate as extras in the production the First Vision. His posterity that have served LDS missions have appreciated seeing him each time they replay the production for an investigator. Alan had a humble and gracious way with people and was well loved.
Being an immigrant and without extended family in this country, he and his wife became the extended family to many that needed loving support. Their home and table have been graced by single mothers, youth rebuilding their foundation, political refugees and people who could tell first hand stories about escaping from concentration camps. Alan and Yvette’s reach has extended to many non-relatives as if they were family, greatly enriching their own family as well.
He is survived by his wife, Yvette Longstaff, sons Francis (Shauna) Longstaff and Danny (Uanita) Longstaff and daughters Nicole (Robert) Green and Monique (Dan) Ordonez, as well as 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear sister, Mavis Harkness in England. Alan is preceded in death by his daughter Nadine “Sammi” Rasmussen, as well as his brothers and sisters: Norah Longstaff, Elsie Donaldson, George Longstaff, Stanley Longstaff, Muriel Longstaff, Gordon Longstaff and Leslie Longstaff.
A funeral tribute “mission farewell” will be held at 11:00 am on March 2nd, 2019 at the Glacial Park Ward at 2675 E. Mt. Jordan Rd. in Sandy.
Friends may call Friday evening, March 1st, 2019 from 6-8 pm at Goff Mortuary located at 8090 S. State St. in Midvale and also at 10:00 am at the church on March 2nd, 2019, prior to the “mission farewell”.
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