When is it appropriate to use “late” when referring to someone who has passed?

Question

I could never figure this out. Is this structure only for those who have recently passed?

The late Steve Jobs...

Or can I use it to refer to someone who died a long time ago?

The late George Washington...

Answer 1

Yes it is most appropriate for use with those who were recently living.

For an explanation:

The sense of "deceased" (as in the late Mrs. Smith) is from late 15c., from an adverbial sense of "recently."

-From http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=late&allowed_in_frame=0