Johny Longblades

[Lil Bit]

I saw this section here and thought I should pay tribute to the reason I'm now adamant in becoming a diver. My good friend, known by most as Johny Longblades, is the sole person who, after 13 years living in Florida, really helped me fall in love with the salty Gulf/Atlantic water. He talked to me about the wonders of the underwater world and I became fascinated with it. Still, getting certified took back burner. . . until now.
Johny passed away July 8th during a dive off of Key West. He was 23. He had the kind of presence that made you like to just be around him. I don't think he ever knew just how many lives he had touched. There's a saying "The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of a well spent life is eternal" and I think that epitomizes Johny. He lived life to the fullest and never let anyone put a stop to it. I know that every time I strap a tank to my back and sink into the clear blue water, Johny will be right there in my heart and in my thoughts.

 

[WVDiver]

Nice tribute. Glad to see he touched you enough to make you want to dive in his memory.

 

[BSK]

Reading the accident repord and browsing around the spearboards it seems he was one awesome buddy!

 

[bandit1980ta]

I have some mutual friends with Johny. His old partner kept trying to get me to the keys to go diving, but work and time never played out. I had the pleasure of meeting his dad a week ago at a memorial. If he was anything like him he is a wonderfull soul. It is amazing to hear how many stories there are out there for this man, and the respect so many had for him. I guess it goes to show that it isn't the time we have on earth, it's what we do with it. I can only hope that when I am done here, I have touched half as many lifes as him.

 

[Lil Bit]

That was a great celebration of Johny. . . once I picked myself up off the bathroom floor and was able to join it after everyone got here The Irish would be so proud of that memorial! BTW, here's a couple pics first of him, then the memorial party.

 

[bandit1980ta]

Thank you,
Yea in full Irish/Caribbean tradition. By the way, I would like to add, that I would like to be there for your dives.

 

[D2Medicdiver]

Johny was my partner, My firend, My little brother. We shared a Love of the Keys and Diving, EMS and just having fun. He was wise beyond his years and I can only hope to be half the person he was.
We will dive again in the Blue Water where the dolphin run best....RIP JLB

 

[Debraw]

Such a young vibrant soul! I am very sorry for your loss.

 

[Hank49]

Since I saw the story of his passing on Spearboard, everytime I have put on my long free diving fins I think of his name. Johny Longblades. May he be in a sea of mahi and yellow fins...

 

[KEYSKILLER]

thank you for putting this up for JLB.
i will add some pics of the good times we had.....there were a couple

**JLB we will hunt again in crystal clear water with 100lb grouper**