Obituary of John F. Longo

John F. “Babe” Longo, age 88, beloved husband of Dorothy Arsenault Longo of Stratford passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Bridgeport Hospital. Born in Bridgeport on August 21, 1930, he was a son of the late Frank and Olympia Scinto Longo and was a longtime resident of Stratford. Babe graduated from Harding High School, class of 1948 and attended the University of Bridgeport. At his retirement he was a supervisor with the Southern Conn. Gas Co. with over 35 years of dedicated service. While at Harding High he was an outstanding athlete, starring in both track and football.  As the feature running back for the 1947 undefeated, nationally ranked State Champion football team, Babe scored 5 touchdowns in the 1947 Thanksgiving Day game vs Central High School in front of 12,000 fans at Hedges Stadium.  At Harding and UB, he held many athletic records which stood for years, including the fastest time in the state for the 100 yard dash at 10.1 seconds. He was inducted into the Bridgeport and Stratford Old Timers Athletic Associations and was inducted into the University of Bridgeport Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. His love of all sports was passed down to his sons, especially the game of golf which he played for most of his life. He especially enjoyed his Thursday golf rounds with his buddies and up until recently rarely missed a Thursday tee time.   Above everything he loved all his family and many, many friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his beloved wife Dorothy of 66 years, survivors include two loving sons, John Longo and his wife Darlene of Trumbull and Michael Longo and his wife Laura of York, Pa, six grandchildren, Tracy Burke (Steve), John Longo III (Lindsay), Lisa Delco (Paul), Katie Bria (Jonathon), Michele Longo and James Longo and 13 great grandchildren and a special niece, Judy Delorenzo and her husband Jamie and their family, Kevin, Chris and Laura Delorenzo as well as a dear friend, John (Lucky) Dimenna who was his backfield mate at both Harding and UB and close friend for 72 years. The family would like to thank the staff at Bridgeport Hospital, the Stratford Visiting Nurse Association, and especially his wonderful caregiver, Dama.     

Friends are invited to meet directly in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford, on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.