Bob Long

Rupert (Bob) Long, born in Boston, MA whose age has always been, and will always be a well-kept secret, has left the surly bonds of earth to join his beloved mother, Lucille (Daly) Long and father, Rupert Long in Heaven. He died peacefully after a long illness at Avante Nursing Home in Melbourne, FL on February 6, 2024.

To miss him forever, he leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend, Sharon (Yannaccone) Long and daughter, Lucy Long of Newton, MA.

A gifted radio broadcaster with his warm baritone voice, Bob combined his lifelong passions for radio and cars when he founded Autoworld Radio in 1992. Those who sat beside him at the microphone felt embraced by his compassionate, listening heart and keen understanding. He exuberantly shared his encyclopedic knowledge of cars over the airwaves until 2020 when he was taken ill. From 2002 – 2010, he also worked as Executive Producer and Host of Motortrend Radio. Over the course of his career, he received 32 International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA) for broadcast excellence. The IAMA highest honor "Best of Radio" was received by Bob in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

In addition to cars and radio, he enjoyed a lifelong passion for music with a special affection for Steely Dan, the Eagles, Bob Seger and Boz Scaggs. The greatest light of his life, however, was his daughter Lucy. He will forever be remembered as a loving, gentle, playful father and husband.

A visiting hour will be held at 9:30am Friday, Feb. 23 at Sacred Heart Parish, 1321 Centre Street, Newton, MA. Funeral Mass will immediately follow at 10:30am. Burial at Holyhood Cemetery, 584 Heath Street, Brookline MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Parish.

"Dreams die hard, and we watch them erode, but we cannot be denied the fire inside."

- Bob Seger