Dr. Kermit Long (1915 — Oct 28, 2009)

Kermit Long, a cottager on Kahshe Lake for 70 years, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on October 28, 2009, in Phoenix, AZ where he lived with his wife, Helen. Kermit built two cottages on the lake; the first was a log cottage on the point where Rockhaven and Denne's channels meet; the second on the east end of Cherokee Island. Their son Ken and daughter-in-law Karen also have a cottage, on the west end of the island, and their daughter, Peggy, shared a bunky near her folks’ cottage.  Kermit, being a minister for 73 years, was a vital force in ecumenical religious services on the lake at Rockhaven. He was also supportive of churches in Gravenhurst and Sparrow Lake. Kermit and Helen were avid fisher folks which led Kermit into organizing an annual fishing derby for kids for over 50 years. So many kids who are now adults still call him Uncle Kermit. The fishing derby, still a favorite of young Kahshe anglers,  is around today because of others who stepped forward to continue his legacy, notably Nick Swirla, Mike Crosby, Peter Dykstra, Don Knight, and Johnette Ollman.      

A swimmer who hit the water most mornings, Kermit truly appreciated the healing waters of Kahshe and enjoyed the wildlife and herons.  He dearly loved Kahshe Lake and always traveled from Chicago or Phoenix to enjoy Canadian summers and Canadian Thanksgiving.