Charles E. Long of Methuen, Mass., has gone home. He was born on Feb. 2, 1935, at 421 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA, to the late Agnes M. (Hughes) Long and George H. Long.

 
Charles was a graduate of St. Mary's Grammar School and Central Catholic High School, Class of 1953. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean conflict. He was an Overhead Journeymen Lineman receiving his 60-year pin from the IBEW Local 104. He retired as a supervisor from the MBTA where he managed several large projects.

 
Charles loved sports, playing baseball and football for Central Catholic. His baseball glove was always in his vehicle at the ready to play a game. Racquet ball became a passion that he played competitively for years. Occasionally, he would play a pickup game of basketball. When he retired from racquet ball, he took up sailing. 

He was an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver. There was always a stack of books at hand. He waited for the daily paper and immediately went to the puzzle. If there was a paper or magazine nearby, he searched it to see if there was a puzzle to solve.

He traveled the US in an RV for years exploring the country crossing over back roads. On one of the trips, he found himself in Texas and traveled to Corpus Christi. He wintered in Corpus which opened opportunities for him to sail. He was a regular crew member in the Wednesday night sailboat races on Corpus Christi Bay, first on "Sneak'n Away" then "Milky Way." When presented with the opportunity to participate in a Regatta or go out for a casual sail, the only thing he needed to know was what time did he need to be on the docks. His sailing bag was always by the door.

 
In June of 2016, he brought up from Connecticut to New Hampshire, "il suo 32," a Catalina, with his wife and cousin Bob. He enjoyed being out on the open water being carefree, leaving the busy everyday life behind. He could be the crew trimming the sails or the Helmsman driving. 

He is survived by his wife, Martha Jean (Boren) Long of Methuen; children, Susan Mitchell (Tyrone) of Massachusetts and Sharon Long of New Hampshire; brothers, George H. Long (Priscilla) of Florida, John P. Long (Loretta) of Missouri, Joseph F. Long (Jessica) of Maine, and Bro. Thomas P. Long, FMS, of Florida; grandchildren, Bryan (Brett) Hemmerling, Philip (Andrea) Knowlton, Elizabeth (Bill) Gravelle, Meghan (Richard) Wentworth, Alicia (Zeke) Fitzgerald, and Ty Mitchell; great-grandchild, Liliana Fitzgerald; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He would always step forward to help anyone in need. In lieu of contributions and flowers, light a white candle to shine bright; feed, clothe or help someone in need in his memory. 

Friends and family are respectively invited to attend calling hours 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 14, at the Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Route 28, Methuen, MA 01844. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 15, at 11 a.m. at St. Lucy's Church, 254 Merrimack St., Methuen, MA. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

For online condolences or directions, please go to www.dewhirstfuneral.com. Arrangements under the direction of Boles Memorial-Baron-McAuliffe-Yameen Funeral Home, 184 Jackson St., Lawrence, MA 01841.

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