Gary Long: Remembered as civic leader, family man

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Gary  Long
Gary A. Long

Gary A. Long, 63, of Manchester, NH, died August 8, 2014, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness.

Born in Adrien, Minn., on June 12, 1951, he was the son of Cyril and Lucille (Kuhl) Long. He was raised in Albuquerque, NM, and resided in the Queen City since 1976.

Gary earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University as well as a master of science degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University.

He served with the United State Air Force. He held the rank of first lieutenant.

Gary began his career at Public Service Company of New Hampshire in 1976. He held various positions in economic development, customer service, regulatory affairs, governmental relations, and corporate communications. In 2000, he was appointed president and chief operating officer. He held the position until his retirement in June of 2014.

A man of faith, Gary was an active communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Most recently, he was a member of Saint Pius X Church.

He held many appointed positions with nonprofit, community and economic development organizations. He was a member of the advisory board with the Council of Junior Achievement for many years. He served on the board of directors with Amoskeag Industries, the Business and Industry Association of NH, Heritage United Way, NH Business Committee for the Arts, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and Citizen Bank. Gary was active with Easter Seals of NH and served as a judge with US First. He enjoyed coaching youth soccer at Manchester South Soccer League.

In 2006, Gary was selected Business Leader of the Year by Business NH magazine.

Most important of all, Gary was a loving, devoted, and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, who enjoyed family life. He will be remembered for his warm and selfless ways. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.Family members include his wife of 40 years, Mary K. (Hanafin) Long; his two sons, Thomas A. Long and his wife, Sarah, of Portland, ME, and Timothy L. Long and his wife, Erin Sidebotham, of Nashua; his daughter, Martha K. Long and her husband, Marc Bozenski, of Exeter; his two grandchildren, Lily and James; his mother of Albuquerque, NM; three brothers, Jeffrey Long, Christopher Long, and Daniel Long; four sisters, Gail Long, Cheryl McCafferty, Beth Head and Teresa Chavez; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was predeceased by two brothers, Gregory Long and David Long.


Services: Calling hours are Aug. 12, 2014 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, corner of Concord Street, Manchester, NH.The funeral will be held Wednesday with a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 AM in Saint Pius X Church, Candia Road, Manchester.Due to flower allergies, please omit flowers.

Memorial donations may be made to the Greater Manchester Habitat for Humanity, 250 Commercial Street, Suite 4019, Manchester, NH 03101; or to Maryknoll Society, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 01545-0302.For more information or to view the online guest registry please visit: www.connorhealy.com.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!