Thomas A. Long ’06 died on August 26, 2021, in Lancaster, Massachusetts

(The following was published by the Sentinel & Enterprise on August 31, 2021)

Thomas A. Long ’06

Thomas Allen Long, age 37, of Lancaster, MA, formerly of Houlton, ME, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021, after a tragic accident.

Tommy was the loving husband of Emily, and devoted father to Hannah and Natalie. He was a 2002 graduate of Houlton High School and a 2006 graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME, where he majored in mathematics and minored in Russian. While in college, Tommy was a leader in the Bowdoin Christian Fellowship, he made many friendships as a member of Chamber Choir Ensemble, was a leader in BOKA, a member of the Russian Club and an active member of the Longfellows a capella group.

Tommy was a senior program manager at Emeritus, and he was previously head of operations for the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship in Cambridge, MA. He also taught math at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, ME, after graduating college. More recently was a Free Mason, serving as secretary for the Wilder Lodge and treasurer for the Lodge Building Association in Leominster, Massachusetts.

Besides his wife and daughters, he leaves behind his parents, Cecil and Arlene Long, and brother Charles Long of Houlton, ME, grandparents Ralph and Dawn Bubar of Linneus, ME, as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Tommy was pre-deceased by his grandparents, Charles and Edith Long of Houlton, ME.

Tommy took great pride and joy in his family and in providing a happy and secure life for them. When he met Emily more than thirteen years ago, he knew he had found his soulmate. Tommy was the most adoring father to his two little girls, Hannah and Natalie, and made sure that their love of all things girly was well balanced with wrestling figures, sports, and rough-housing. He loved to travel and enjoyed planning trips for his family of four, a highlight being a recent trip to Ireland.

He spent countless hours talking about music, gaming, and wrestling with his brother, Charles. He was excellent at flat foot jumping and took great joy in challenging his dad. Tommy was an animated talker, much like his mom. He was the fun uncle to his seven nephews and nieces who he would get down and play with on their level, literally rolling down a hill at a playground.

To know Tommy was to have loved Tommy; he brought laughter and lengthy conversations to anyone and everyone he encountered. Family members love retelling Tommy stories. Once Tommy learned to talk at the age of two, he never stopped talking and would often ask and answer his own questions in the same breath. A lover of spreadsheets, Tommy was an avid goal setter, always working on the next project or challenge.

While we may not understand why God called him home so soon, we have faith that Tommy is watching out for his girls from above and will live on in their hearts forever.