In every nook and cranny of Jamaica there are Familiar faces who have become part of a community, but some of us don’t even know their names. In fact, some of their stories remain unknown. Who are they? Where do they come from? And how did they get there? THE Sunday Observer

Familiar faces the series will explore these and much more!

FOR more than three decades, Leroy Long, a fruit seller nicknamed “Piney,” has stood on the corner of Duke and Sutton streets in downtown Kingston, just outside St Aloysius Primary School as generations students passed through the establishment.

His colorful array of juicy pineapples, crunchy apples and papayas beautifully arranged in the back of his truck has become an integral part of the community. Parents, children, politicians on their way to Gordon House and passersby often stop for a healthy snack. But for many, the man behind the fruit may just be a familiar face.

If you have ever interacted with “Piney,” what do you know about him? Sunday Observer Journalist Tamoy Ashman and videographer Gavin Jones had a chat with him last week to find out more about the man behind the fruit.

Originally from St Elizabeth, Long said he took a leap of faith more than 33 years ago, leaving his job at a supermarket to become a salesman. His decision was not initially approved by his mother, who at the time thought he was making a big mistake, but Long’s leap of faith led him to embark on a business that could fully support himself. his needs and those of his family.

With a handcart and a dream, he grew his business, eventually moving to a truck. In a message to young people who may have a dream, he urged them to remember that “it’s not where to start, it’s where you want to go, and if you have a goal, you have to get there.” to work “.

Check out these five things about this familiar face and scan the QR code for our video chat with him.

1. Long first opened a shop outside St George’s Girls’ Primary and Infant School, selling sweets and biscuits to the school’s pupils. However, wanting to offer healthier and more nutritious foods, he turned to selling fruit.

2) A true pine man at heart, he fell in love with the fruit at a young age, while often watching his grandparents tending their pineapple farm in St Elizabeth. To this day, he loves pineapples more than any other fruit because of its many health benefits.

3. Husband, father of three sons and grandfather of one, his family is his source of strength. Next year he will celebrate 30 years of marital bliss with his wife, who resides in St Elizabeth.

4. When he’s not selling his delicious products to customers, he can be found in a church, using his free time to bring honor and praise to God for all that He has provided. A Christian for more than 40 years, he said God was everything to him.

5. While most people prefer the comfort and ease of an automatic vehicle, Long said there’s nothing better than the feeling of being on an open road, changing gears in a vehicle with manual transmission. In fact, he prefers to drive a standard vehicle rather than an automatic vehicle every day.

Is there someone in your community who should be part of our Familiar Faces series? Send your suggestions to [email protected]

LONG…it’s not where to start, it’s where you want to go (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

A familiar face in the Jamaica Observer this week, Leroy ‘Piney’ Long peels a pineapple for his customers.

Stationed outside St. Aloysius Elementary School, Long said he gets joy from interacting with students and offering them a healthy snack.

Scan here. There’s more to this story