William Long

William Christopher Long, aka Grampy Long, died peacefully at JML Skilled Nursing Facility in Falmouth on Jan. 19. He was 97.

He was born on Jan. 19, 1927, in Natick to Martin and Mary Long and spent his younger years in Hopkinton. He was a resident of Holliston and Hopedale for many years before settling in Falmouth in 2012.

He was the husband of Grace M. Long (Maguire) for 43 years until her passing in 1995.

Bill was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving five years. Bill’s professional career was in the retail grocery business. He worked many years managing First National Supermarket Stores and concluded his career with Roche Bros. Supermarkets before retiring in 2012.

What made Bill the happiest was time spent with his family. From his siblings to his wife and children, his grandchildren, his great- and great-great-grandchildren, and his extended family members, that time spent was always his happiest time. Bill was a quiet and gentle man. He carried a quick, dry wit that was always followed by a sly smile and a laugh. He rarely had a bad word to say about anyone or anything — except Carl Yastrzemski, who was never going to be Ted Williams! Over the years, Bill introduced us to so many great times and memories that live on. Summers on Cape Cod, beginning with Sagamore Beach, Chinese food, pizza from Marconi’s, our love/hate relationship with the Red Sox, and the Christmas lights on Ashland Street. And his scratch tickets and cigars. Can’t forget those!

Bill is survived by his children, William C. Long II and wife Maria, Lora Tutuny and James Mitchell, Beverly Moore and husband Bob, Joseph A. Fish and wife Kit, daughter-in-law Margaret Fish, son-in-law Ronald White, sister-in-law Sybil Long and sister-in-law Jean Maguire. Bill leaves 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Grace, daughter Mary Ellen White, son Peter A. Fish, brothers Gerard Long, Martin Long, Francis Long and John Long, and sister Mary Tigue.

Visitation took place Jan. 28 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, West Falmouth, followed by a funeral service and private burial.

Bill’s family would like to thank the staff at JML for their kindness and compassion toward Bill during his time there.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.