James N. Longley Jr.

James N. Longley, Jr., 82, of Windsor Locks, beloved husband for 57 years of Carol Ann (Johnson) Longley, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2024.
Jim was born in Hartford, son of the late James Longley, Sr. and Josephine (Tracy) Longley, and graduated from Windsor High School, Class of '59. He worked at Eastern Airlines before being drafted into the United States Army, where he proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. Jim was a dedicated longtime member of American Legion Post 36 in Windsor Locks. He was employed with Eastern Airlines for over 30 years as a Customer Service Agent, retiring as the Assistant Station Manager, and was the last agent to close the doors on the last Eastern Flight out of Bradley Airport. Jim loved his job because he was able to help so many people over the years, and the benefit it provided to him and his family to travel all over the world. He and his family had wonderful adventures together in places like Barbados, the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and California, just to name a few. It was important to him that he made every trip an educational experience for them, and they appreciated it and knew it was because of his hard work with Eastern that they were able to have the adventures of a lifetime.
Jim was a loving husband, father, in-law, and dear friend. He will fondly be remembered as a kind and caring man who enjoyed the simple things in life and loved his family more than anything. Jim loved his children unconditionally and attended all their events, coached their teams, supported their dreams, and would pretty much just do whatever they asked him to do. He was generous to a fault and would give you the shirt off his back or the last dollar in his pocket if you needed it. Jim was known as a "dad to everyone" and all the kids in the neighborhood, and his children's friends, knew they were welcome in his home, whether they needed a safe place to stay, a warm meal to eat, or just some company. You never needed an invitation to come to the house because the door was always open. He was nonjudgemental by nature, was a great listener, and gave you good advice if you asked for it.
Jim hated hospitals but stepped outside of his comfort zone to support his daughter, Kirsten, through her cancer journey by going to her doctor's appointments, chemo appointments, and medical procedures at the hospital. They always had a special bond, and nothing could keep him away from being her biggest cheerleader and doing his best to support her. When she beat cancer, he was the one most grateful and cheering the loudest.
Jim and Carol loved to spend their winters in Florida and their summers in Connecticut. In addition to air travel, Jim enjoyed camping, and when the kids were younger, he loved to take them to different places and "rough it" in the tent. His happy place was Hammonassett and camping at the beach, and he thought nothing of piling everyone in the truck and heading out on an adventure, and if they learned something from it, he was happy.
Jim was a "Jack-of-all Trades," and could fix just about anything, or at least try. He had a tight knit group of neighbors who he loved doing things for, and who will also miss him dearly. He was very close with Carol's family and loved their Swedish traditions, especially at Christmas time; and since their celebration was on Christmas Eve, he would volunteer to work on Christmas Day every year so the younger people at work could spend the day with their families.
Jim loved his life and had a life well lived. He enjoyed the simple things in life, like reminiscing about the old times, sharing a scotch and a cigar, and he never turned down a good dirty martini. He leaves a legacy of beautiful memories that will live in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.
In addition to his loving wife, Carol, Jim leaves to celebrate his life, his daughter, Kirsten Longley of Windsor Locks, and his son, Mark Longley of Windsor Locks; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Kenneth E. Longley and Marlene Lessard.
His service will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.