The Long Family
Dad’s Side
Rep. John J. Long is your paternal grandfather. Massachusetts State Representative, 1956–1980. Political confidant of the Kennedy family.
Your father John Patrick Long (1952–2020) was born to John Joseph Long (1927–1989) and Claire Patricia Coogan (1927–2000). He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar on March 27, 1984. The Long surname traces to Irish roots. The Coogan side opens into French-Canadian families reaching back to medieval France.
Representative John J. Long — Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1961–1962, p. 220
Your Grandfather: Representative John J. Long (1927–1989)
Born December 10, 1927, in Fall River. Son of William F. Long and Susannah Long. Attended B.M.C. Durfee High School, All-Bristol County athlete 1946, co-captain football. Boston University College of Business Administration and Rhode Island College of Education. Korean War, U.S. Army Military Police.
In 1956 he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 11th Bristol District as a Democrat. He served continuously until 1980. He became Assistant Majority Leader and served on the committees for Federal Financial Assistance, State Administration, Ways and Means, Rules, and Interstate Cooperation.
He was instrumental in establishing Bristol Community College and in the merger of Bradford Durfee Textile Institute and New Bedford Textile (which became Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth). He championed Vietnam War memorial legislation and a swimming pool at Lafayette Park. In 1957 he founded Long and Parent Insurance Agency.
He was a personal friend of several governors of Massachusetts, including Michael Dukakis, with whom he served in the House.
He was a lifelong DNC member and a political confidant of the Kennedy family for decades.
Representative John J. Long
The Kennedy Letters
November 13, 1956: JFKwrote on official U.S. Senate letterhead congratulating your grandfather on his first election victory. “Rep. John J. Long, 1582 Pleasant Street, Fall River, Massachusetts.” Signed “Jack.”
November 10, 1966: Ted Kennedywrote to 109 Barre Street, Fall River. He crossed out “Dear Representative Long,” and wrote “John” by hand. A personal note praising “Pat and the ticket,” looking forward to a “building period.”
May 1980:Kennedy ’80 campaign letterhead to 32 East Shore Road, Westport, thanking him for the Massachusetts primary victory, with confidence in the June 3 contests.
These letters survive as original documents in the family’s possession. Your grandfather’s official portrait appears in the 1961–1962 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts directory, page 220.
Kennedy Correspondence — Preserved in the Family Collection
Senator John F. Kennedy to Rep. Long, November 13, 1956. Signed “Jack.”
Senator Kennedy to the Longs, December 16, 1957 — thanking them for congratulations on Caroline’s birth
Kennedy family Christmas card, 1957
Interior — handwritten “Best, Jack”
Senator Edward Kennedy to Rep. Long, May 20, 1980 — Kennedy ’80 campaign
He died on December 5, 1989, at age 61. He was survived by his wife Clare, four sons (John, Stephen, Terrence, James), two daughters (Susanne Santoro, Anne Marie Gonet), brothers William F. Long (Bristol County Commissioner) and Thomas Long, and ten grandchildren. Services were held at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Westport Point.
Generations
Summer 1985
The porch at Westport Point
Summer cookout, Westport
Horseneck Beach, Westport
The Long/Sullivan Line (Irish)
| Name | Born | PID | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Francis Long | 6 Oct 1897 | KLCB-RH1 | Great-grandfather |
| Thomas Long | 27 May 1863 | 9N29-8WD | 2nd great-grandfather |
| William Long | 1835 | 9W6P-WCR | 3rd great-grandfather, Ireland |
| Johanna Collins | 1833 | 96B2-NCT | 3rd great-grandmother, Ireland |
| Annie Sullivan | 16 Dec 1866 | 96B2-NCD | 2nd great-grandmother |
| Florence Sullivan | ? | 96B2-NZ7 | 3rd great-grandmother |
| Catherine Haggerty | ? | 96B2-NZC | 3rd great-grandmother (Florence’s mother) |
The Daley/McNamara Line (Irish)
| Name | Born | PID | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susanna G. Daley | 16 Jul 1891 | GYDG-LP3 | Great-grandmother |
| John Daley | 1853 | G113-2W4 | 2nd great-grandfather |
| John Daley | 1821 | P96G-4ML | 3rd great-grandfather, Ireland |
| Catherine Murphy | 1834 | P96G-CPW | 3rd great-grandmother, Ireland |
| Susanna McNamara | 1857 | G11S-BRN | 2nd great-grandmother |
| Michael McNamara | ? | P96G-F6B | 3rd great-grandfather, Ireland |