David Edward Long

Born - Dec 18, 1946   Died - April 11, 2024

David Edward Long passed away in the early morning on April 11, 2024, at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA after bravely fighting cancer for many years. During his time at the hospital, he was surrounded by loved ones, an amazing advanced medical team, and had his son by his side the entire time. David’s drive, ambition, and fighter mentality to never give up no matter what lied ahead was apparent in all that he did. He will truly be missed by the many people that knew him, and the impact he had on those around him will continue to be deeply felt long after he is gone.

David was born in Newport, Rhode Island on December 18th, 1946. He was the eldest of three boys, with his younger brothers Danny and Richard following him. He was a proud son of his father Roy who served in the US Navy and fought in WWII, and his resilient mother Francis. Being from a military family, he moved around a lot in his younger years. He spent time living in places like Washington DC, Guam, Adak Alaska, St Joseph Missouri and more. Eventually his family settled down in Needham, MA where he attended Needham High School. In 1964 with parental consent, he joined the US Air Force early at the age of 17 in March of his Senior Year of Highschool. From 1966 to 1967 David served proudly in the Vietnam War as Jet Engine Mechanic. In 1967 he returned back to the United States to join Strike Command, a Quick Reaction Force installation. In 1968 David left the US Airforce to pursue other opportunities. However, his love for the military and flying always remained strong throughout his life. Later on, he would get his private pilot’s license as flying was a true passion of his.

After the military David wanted to pursue advancing his education by studying Liberal Arts at the University of Massachusetts in Boston MA in 1968. A year later in 1969 while living in Boston MA, his life was changed forever when he started dating an incredible woman named Beverly Young. During his time in college Beverly and David grew quit fondly of one another through endless adventures such as camping, fishing, going to the beach, traveling, sailing together and much more. 

After college unemployment was high and the job market was hard. As such David worked various jobs ranging from working at a gas station, bar tending to driving a cab. In 1974 however, David got a job as a city planner for the city of Newton MA which he loved very much and pursued until 1986.

In 1978 David married Beverly at the Martha Mary Chapel in Sudbury, an historic church next to the famous Wayside Inn. To their great surprise a reenactment was occurring that day outside the church called Colonial Days. Reenactors dressed up as British Redcoats and American Colonists had set up an encampment with tents and pretended to fight one another with musket fire and cannon fire. It made the day even more memorable to say the least.

In December of 1983 David and Beverly welcomed into the world their only child Wesley. They both loved being parents so much and spent a lot of time ensuring he learned family values with endless trips to the beaches down the Cape, camping all over New England and Canada, fishing trips, visits to theme parks, kayaking and canoeing, traveling, finding new places to eat, museums, and much more. Both David and Beverly loved being parents and it showed every day in their love for their child. Wes was the center of David and Beverly’s universe, and he was their most devoted caretaker and friend, lovingly supporting them both until their respective ends.

After changing directions with work, David eventually settled down in the 1990’s working for the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). At the MDC he did various tasks but mostly it consisted of administrative work overseeing the finance and engineering side of roadways, parkways, skating rinks, reservoirs and more.

Also, in the 1990’s, David returned to University of Massachusetts in Boston to pursue his MBA. He was very proud of this accomplishment to receive a graduate degree while working and parenting at the same time. One evening in particularly David brought his son to one of his classes and memorably laughed as his son was the youngest person in the class and David was the oldest person in the class. His drive, strength and fortitude were shown in all that he did, especially his educational and working goals.

In 1996 David left the MDC to work for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation where he pursued finances and administrative work for Emergency Operations for the Commonwealth. He stayed at that job until 2014 when he officially retired to pursue personal interests and relax after a long established and multifarious career.

In his later years in retirement David engaged with a multitude of hobbies and passions. He truly enjoyed the sport of shooting a lot, but also hunting, time outside tanning at the beach, swimming in the salt water, riding his bicycle, walking around the neighborhood, gardening, fires outside, grilling (especially hot dogs), wood working, politics, reading, writing, working around the house, and time at his home with his family.

Sadly, the love of his life Beverly died on January 30th, 2024. Although heartbroken by her departure he now joins her in heaven to be reunited with his wife, lover, and best friend. He is survived by his son Wes Long who misses them both so much, but also so lucky to have such amazing, wonderful, and caring parents.

Visitation will be held at Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Tuesday, April 23rd from 9:30 to 10:30am, followed by a funeral service at 10:30am. Interment with Military Honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s name may be made to the New England Center and Home for Veterans. (https://nechv.org/donations/online-giving/)

Eaton Funeral Home (direct link to obituary)