Michele P. "Mike" Longo

Natick, MA Michele P. Longo "The Longos 'North Star' " Michele P. "Mike" Longo, 88, a longtime resident of Waterbury, CT, died peacefully on Wednesday October 22, 2025 from complications from dementia surrounded by his loving family. Mike lived a simple, yet extraordinary life. He was born on a farm in Morcone, Benevento, Italy on March 21, 1937, as the oldest child of the late Giovanni and Maria Grazia (Sforza) Longo. As a young boy he endured immense challenges that would form his strong-willed spirit: meager provisions, lacking modern comforts such as electricity and plumbing, and being forced to sleep in his stable for a week while Nazis invaded his family home. Despite all of this, he loved life in Italy working the farm, having adventures with his younger brothers and sister, and being generous to his neighbors with what little he had. Always the entrepreneur, he would make slingshots and scooters from broken railroad parts and wood and trade them to friends for the local currency - eggs - which he would sell for money. With a heavy heart that longed for his homeland, at age 17 he supported his family by immigrating to the US by boat on a 10-day voyage with his father and brother in 1954. He arrived in the US in what seemed a completely different world and felt unwelcome by some, but not all. It would be a long two years of factory work, night school to learn English, and being flooded out of their studio basement apartment in the Great Flood of '55, until his family was reunited in the US. Realizing their future was in America now, they all worked hard to assimilate into American culture and enjoyed Rock-and-Roll music, hot dogs and root beer, and Yankees baseball. In the late 50's and early 60's, a number of pivotal events would shape the rest of Mike's life - meeting his future wife and starting his career as a tool maker. He was hired at Somma Tool and the owner quickly recognized his work ethic and capability, and mentored him personally. After ten years, in 1966, Mike, along with his brother Tony and two friends founded LCM Tool Company, where Mike made tools alongside his brothers, nephews, and loyal friends until his retirement at age 83(!), and only because of Covid. Mike took immense pride in his work, was known as the "backbone" of the company, and created countless relationships with his customers over his 54 years at LCM. Mike was set up on a date with MaryAnn in the early 60's and she fell madly in love with his dark, wavy hair. She loved supporting him in his career and his large yet tight-knit family. Mike and MaryAnn were so devoted to each other throughout their 61 year marriage through the highs and lows, being shining role models of love and commitment. They enjoyed so many of life's simple pleasures for years - taking their dogs for ice cream, making beautiful gardens around their home, and extended family gatherings with good food, scopa, and laughter. Finally, after nearly 20 years of marriage Mike and MaryAnn were blessed with the children they had longed for, Christina and John. Mike was always present in their lives, attending their sports games, taking them fishing, watching the Yankees, and providing unconditional love and support when they each faced challenges they could turn to only their dad for. Every day he was an unwavering example of integrity, work ethic, and admiration, and his children and family revered him so much for these qualities and many others. He found so much joy in his later decades when Christina married Jason and John married Sara, and he would travel to their homes often and help with home projects and sit on the patio and talk for hours while sharing his excellent homemade wine. Jason was grateful to have Mike as a father figure in the last 20 years, and treasured his company and life lessons. Mike was so special to his family that he has not one, but two grandchildren named in his honor, Michael and Rudy P., in addition to Diana, Jason, and MaryAnn. He adored being a grandfather and could always be seen holding a baby, giving his grandchildren long hugs, and talking to them for hours over card games and dessert. Mike wanted little for himself and more for others, and found his greatest happiness in celebrating the success of all of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by his loving and dedicated wife of 61 years, MaryAnn; his daughter and son-in law Christina and Jason Rodrigo, his son and daughter-in law John and Sara Longo; his brothers and their wives Sebastian (Tony) and MaryAnn Longo, Mario and Patricia Longo, and Nicola Longo, and sister and her husband Lena and Robert Crandall; five grandchildren, Michael, Diana, and Jason Rodrigo and MaryAnn and Rudy Longo; cousins and their spouses Tony and Angie Rinaldi and Filomena Rinaldi and Geoff Hulstrunk; close friend Joanne Chapin; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. His children are very grateful for all of the family and friends that helped care for Mike, so he and MaryAnn could live together in their home for as long as possible, as well as all of the nurses and staff at Beaumont who comforted and cared for Mike in his final year. Arrangements: Calling hours for Michele will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial, The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. The funeral will be Wednesday October 29, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 12 Ardsley Road, Waterbury for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.