Donald Joseph Long

Mr. Long was born to the late John and Florence (Pond) Long, on January 18, 1937, in New Haven, CT. He quit high school on his sixteenth birthday, but earned his GED while serving in the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. Later, taking night classes, he earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of New Haven, and a master’s degree in sociology from Southern Connecticut State College.

Mr. Long joined the New Haven police force in 1960 and the Connecticut State Police in 1962. In 1978, a years-long rise up through the ranks culminated in his appointment as State Police Commissioner. The following year he was named to the newly-created position of Commissioner of Public Safety.

After his retirement from law enforcement, Mr. Long served as head of security for nuclear power plants in Oyster Creek, NJ and Plymouth, MA. In 2000 Mr. Long and his family opened The Dog House Restaurant in Dennisport, which they ran for the next 10 years. After that they ran Jimmy Brown’s Café in East Falmouth for four years.

A lifelong champion of the underdog, Mr. Long was known for his willingness to help those in need. He liked reading and watching movies and taking trips to the Mohegan Sun casino. He also liked eating pizza from Pepe’s in New Haven and telling stories about growing up there and reminiscing about his dog, Ginger. What he liked most of all, though, was spending time with his family. A loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he was never happier than when surrounded by family.

Mr. Long is survived by the love of his life, wife of 61 years Joan (Sadler) Long of Sandwich, and sons Christopher Long of Sandwich, and Jonathan Long and his wife Julie (Dodge) Long, also of Sandwich. He was predeceased by his daughter, Tamara (Long) Molnar, of Harvard, MA. Grandchildren are Jared, Danielle, and Donald Long of Sandwich, Phoebe Long of Brooklyn, NY, and Dylan, Benjamin, and Rachel Molnar of Harvard, MA. He also leaves beloved nieces and nephews and other family and friends. He was predeceased by four brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Sandwich Food Pantry.

A celebration-of-life memorial is planned for Saturday, June 1, 2024. Details about the celebration will be posted on Facebook.