Thomas Edward Long

Thomas Edward Long,102, father of six, grandfather of four and great-grandfather of six, died on April 15 of natural causes at his home in Wilton, CT.

Born on June 5, 1915, in Akron, CO, Tom was the only child of Edward Thomas Long and Gertrude Hall Long. His parents moved back to their home state of Nebraska when he was a child and Tom grew up in the small town of Hubbard.

Tom graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1939 with a degree in agricultural engineering. While at the University, Tom met his future wife, Helen Frances Vestecka, a Lincoln native who worked at the university. They married in November 1939 and moved to North Dakota thereafter. From 1939-1944, Tom and Helen lived in Fargo, ND, where Tom served on the staff of North Dakota State College.

In 1947, following a short period in Kentucky, Tom joined the Portland Cement Association (PCA), headquartered in Chicago, IL. Tom and Helen and their six children moved to Stamford, CT, in 1959 when Tom was promoted to Regional Manager for PCA’s Northeast Region. Tom retired from the Portland Cement Association in 1980.

Following his retirement, Tom and Helen moved to Sun City, AZ, to enjoy the warmth of the desert Southwest. Tom stayed in Arizona for many years following his wife’s death in 1988. In 2007, and in declining health, he moved back to Connecticut to live with his son Jim and daughter-in-law Carol.

Tom is survived by his son Tom Long Jr., his daughter Marie Gray and son-in-law Joe Gray, his son John Long and daughter-in-law Rita Rubin-Long, his son Jim Long and daughter-in-law Carol Long, daughter Laura Sarcone, daughter Kathleen Long and daughter-in-law Kathy Cannon, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilton, CT, on Thursday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends in the Parish Center starting at 10:15 a.m. Tom will be buried next to his wife’s grave in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hubbard, NE at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or contributions, please take time to tell your loved ones that you love them.