Ian M. Longua, a well-known Westchester paddle and tennis professional, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Rye on July 19, 2017. He was 44.
Born on August 26, 1972, in New Rochelle, he was the son of Meg and William Longua. Growing up in Nashua, New Hampshire, he was an avid tennis player from a young age. He spent many hours at Nashua Swim and Tennis, honing the skills he learned from his father, a tennis professional.
He made the varsity tennis team at Nashua High School as a seventh grader and played on the team through his senior year. After he graduated in 1990, he went on to play at Concordia College in Bronxville, and was ranked in the top 10 in the nation all four years. He and his partner won the NY State Regional Men’s 5.0 Doubles.
After college, he became an assistant tennis pro at Sunningdale Country Club, followed by Bronxville Field Club, American Yacht Club, and Manursing Island Club. During the off-season he taught at Rye Racquet Club. He became Director of Tennis at Scarsdale Golf Club in 2007, and since 2012 has been Director of Racquet Sports.
In addition to running successful youth and adult tennis programs, he was a fine competitor, who played tournament paddle at the national level.
Mr. Longua was well known and liked throughout the paddle and tennis community, encouraging players of all levels, many of who considered him a close friend.
His immediate and extended family expressed their gratitude “for the outpouring of love and support we have received from those who knew and cared about Ian. Scarsdale Golf Club and Rye Racquet, and all those he worked with and taught, were immensely important to him.”
He is survived by his sons, Zachary and Bryce, his mother, Meg Longua, his sister, Courtney Longua, and his girlfriend, Kate Sheils Taubner, and her son, Jack. His father, former head pro of Palm Island Resort in Florida, died earlier this year.
A Memorial Service was held July 22 at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel in New Rochelle. To extend condolences to the family, visit www.lloydmaxcy.com. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in New Hampshire.
Donations in Ian Longua’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
