Half a century ago, cystic fibrosis (CF) was still a mystery. Children born with the genetic disease fell victim to drowning coughs and digestive complications that shortened their lives, many not reaching high school age. Brian Christopher Long of Boston and Provincetown defied those odds. After a lifelong battle with CF, Brian died at Massachusetts General Hospital on June 14, 2023. He was 51.
Brian was born on Oct. 23, 1971 and raised in Tewksbury by his mother, Pierrette Long, and his father and stepmother, Robert and Muriel Long. He graduated from Shawsheen Technical High School in Billerica in 1989 and attended Johnson and Wales University, where he earned an associate’s degree in hospitality.
Brian approached life with humor and boundless courage. His handsome face and tousled blond hair helped make him a charming ambassador for the Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapters of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, helping to raise millions of dollars to combat the disease.
With the help of his extended family, Brian dedicated most of his life to the campaign, spearheading multiple fundraisers. He helped start the first Walk to Cure CF, working with the Mass. State Police to organize the now-annual charity walks from Boston City Hall Plaza to Boston Children’s Hospital. In 1983, Brian filmed a television commercial with Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr to promote the walk and to lead education efforts.
That walk spawned larger fundraisers, including the Great Strides to Cure CF, a national event that helps raise millions every year for the foundation. More than 15 aunts and uncles and more than 30 cousins bolstered his walks, bowl-a-thons, movie premiers, casino nights, and dozens of other fundraising efforts.
Brian frequently volunteered for clinical studies, and his bravery, said Terry Waite, a CF development director, enabled others to come forward to tell their stories and make life-changing differences for other children. Therapies like Trikafta, approved by the FDA in October 2019, have helped people with CF live significantly longer and healthier lives. Today, according to the Mayo Clinic website, lifespans have increased into the 30s and 40s.
As Brian’s disease advanced, he needed a double-lung transplant, which, according to his husband, Ed Fiejo, he was reluctant to commit to for several years. But after he and Ed bought their house at 23 Brewster St. in Provincetown, where Ed said they “came for refuge,” Brian “wanted to extend his life as much as possible because of Provincetown.” He underwent the transplant 14 years ago.
Despite the intensity of Brian’s physical challenges, he worked for Virgin America Airlines and the Copley Marriot Hotel before his career as a Boston real estate broker took off. He learned the business from his aunt, Suzanne Long McInerney.
With his passion for making deals, Brian became a top producer in Boston and Cambridge for his brokerage, winning Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Circle Award and being inducted into the President’s Elite Club, which recognizes the top 2 percent of affiliated associates worldwide.
Travel, boating, and enjoying life with friends and family were his greatest pleasures; Brian loved Provincetown’s restaurant scene, and he especially enjoyed the tea dances on the waterfront.
Brian was an old soul despite his young years. For his birthday, he hosted a fundraiser with monetary gifts for research matched by Ed and him. Brian was also a supporter of the Cambridge Guidance Center and the Toys for Joys program. Former CF board member Arthur Bourque said, “It is fair to say that many CF patients are alive today as the direct result of Brian Long and his battle with this disease.”
Brian’s family thanks his friend Connor Cyrus for providing care, love, and support through his most difficult times.
He is survived by his husband, Ed Feijo; his brother, Bobby, of Bridgewater; and sisters Whitney Long Jenness and husband Cole Jenness of Marshfield and Pamela Axford and husband Russell of Plymouth.
He also leaves aunts and uncles William P. and Nancy Long of Irvine, Calif.; Francis X. and Kathleen Long of West Newbury; Ed Haley of Hull; Susan Long McInerney and Curt Anderson of Weston; John Cooper of Derry, N.H.; Tom and Mary Jeanne Long Kuehn of Tustin, Calif.; Madelynne Long Mahoney and Danny Mahoney of West Boylston; Jose and Virginia Long Martins of Southborough; Jean Claude and Madelynne LeComte of Quebec, Canada; and Janine, Norman and Francine LeComte of Quebec.
Brian also leaves nieces and nephews Bobby and Sarah Long, Nicole Fontenault, Heather Maffeo, Maddison and Bronwyn Axford, and Stella, Valerie, and Adeliza Jenness; and cousins Patricia, Christopher, and Griff Long, Courtney Ragan, Mary Patricia Long, E.J. and John Haley, Gervaise Calos, Arianne Getz, William, Eric, and Amy McInerney, Erin Smith, Mark Cooper, Gabrielle Yates, John Kuehn, Lyndsey George, Amanda Bell, Kerry Belafonte, Kevin and Michelle Mahoney, Carly Tomfohrde, Kelley Mandel, and Paige Phillips.
Brian was predeceased by his cousin William Long and aunts Gervaise Long Haley and Valerie Long Cooper.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brian’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
