Local businessman, produce store entrepreneur dies suddenly

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – Prominent businessman Wayne Long has died according to a release from the his company Well Care Home Health and Nursing Services.

The release stated:

“It is with a heavy heart that the Well Care and Farmin’ Brands families mourn the passing of our leader and CEO, G. Wayne Long. Wayne passed peacefully on Friday, September 15, surrounded by his family and loved ones.”

Long and his wife, Tanya, started the home health company back in 1987 in Wilmington. Long was raised in Brunswick County and eventually followed in his father’s footsteps when he began a grocery store.

He took on an entrepreneurial effort when he opened Carolina Farmin’ on Market Street in 2011. He then started and was the acting CEO of Farmin’ Brands which is the parent company of Farmin’ on Front in downtown Wilmington.

Long’s family also made this statement in the release:

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Wayne Long. Wayne passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday evening, September 15, 2017. He was our loving husband, father, brother and friend.

Wayne was a respected business leader, a visionary who co-founded Well Care Health (1987) and Farmin’ Brands (2011). He had great pride and joy in the professional families he worked with and the many business successes he was instrumental in building. Wayne was deeply committed to giving back to his community, including service to organizations such as Elderhaus, the University of North Carolina school system, and multiple local youth baseball organizations. In addition, he supported numerous local scholarship grants and provided a wide range of philanthropic gifts to charitable organizations.”

Long was 60 years old and the company says his death was sudden. He is survived by his wife Tanya, three sons and daughter-in-law, as well as his parents and sister.