Tribute to Joe Furlong
February 11, 1939 - May 7, 2025
It Is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing away of Joe Furlong. For any who don't know, Joe was the original TuffHead broadhead’s developer. I did not know Joe when he developed his broadhead, but he had followed my research for many years. He took all of the recommendations that the research indicated would make a top-performing broadhead and, starting from scratch, made the prototypes of the first TuffHeads. Joe and his hunting partners took those prototypes to the field and tested them to prove to themselves that what Joe was designing would be the best-performing broadhead on the market.
Many years later, and after much testing of our own, I can tell you that Joe reached his goal. He wanted to give bowhunters the best broadhead, and he succeeded. Today's original TuffHead, of Joe's design, is the benchmark broadhead in all the foundations testing. It is the broadhead design against which the performance of all other broadheads is judged. So far, no other broadhead has measured up to Joe’s. The original TuffHead’s unmatched performance stands as a testament to one who gave much to bowhunting, and who deserves remembrance in the history of bowhunting.
Next to his family, bowhunting was the great love of Joe’s life. Through the years, Joe and I became close friends, and we talked on the phone every few days. That friendship never ended. I will miss him. Rest in peace, my friend.
Dr. Ed Ashby
Obituary for Joseph Patrick Furlong
Joseph Patrick Furlong, age 86, of Charleston, IL, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Born on February 11, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to Philip and Vidace (Goetz) Furlong, Joe lived a full and meaningful life rooted in faith, family, and service. On April 2, 1960, he married his beloved wife, Janice Rae Hash, beginning a 65-year partnership.
Joe is survived by his wife, Janice, of Charleston; four children: Timothy Patrick (Ramona) Furlong of Mandan, ND; Susan (Nyle) Bolliger of Savoy, IL; Rebecca (Brian) Cousins of Aurora, IL; and Colleen (Kyle) Kappes of Monticello, IL; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary Kay (Michael) Saracini of Palos Heights, IL, and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson.
A graduate of Niles High School in Chicago, Joe went on to study at Southern Illinois University and Eastern Illinois University, where he met Janice. The two were married just before he deployed to Germany to serve honorably in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Joe studied engineering at the Montana School of Mines in Butte before completing his degree at EIU.
In the 1970’s, he and Janice moved the family to Williston, North Dakota and founded Furlong Oil & Minerals Company, an oil exploration and production company. In the late 1990s, they returned to Charleston to be near family. A true entrepreneur, Joe then began successful real estate and traditional archery businesses.
A passionate outdoorsman, Joe was an avid bowhunter and skilled bowyer. He was proud to be a lifetime member of Compton Traditional Bowhunters. He especially enjoyed teaching children the art of archery and channeled that passion into the successful development of Black Rhino Bow Company, building traditional longbows for children. He passed on his love of the outdoors to everyone but especially his children and grandchildren. Above all, Joe was a man of quiet strength, deep convictions, and unwavering devotion to those he loved.
A Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10.00 a.m. celebrated by Father Michael Berndt at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Ave., Charleston, IL. Private interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Friends and Family are invited to join an Irish celebration of life from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at Roc’s Blackfront Tavern & Grill, 410 6th Street, Charleston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Compton Traditional Bowhunters/Youth Education Program, [www.comptontraditionalbowhunters.com/donation] (credit card only), or Newman Center at Eastern Illinois University, 500 Roosevelt Ave., Charleston, IL 61920 [www.eiunewman.org]