Courtney Longton

HAVERHILL - Albert Courtney Longton, 'Courtney', 'Court', 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning, November 5, at Bridges of Andover, MA.

Born on April 15, 1932 in Northbridge, MA, he was the youngest son of late Albert and Concorde Longton. He graduated from Northbridge High School in 1950, having played baseball all four years and being team captain senior year. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Tufts University in 1954, after which he joined the technical staff at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York and New Jersey. There he was involved in the development of the very first digital transmission system for telephone communications. The system was developed for manufacture at Western Electric Corp. in North Andover, MA. He received a Master of Science degree in 1962 from Northeastern University. Following that he was manager for digital transmission systems at Bell Labs in North Andover and was involved in the development of a variety of projects. He received patents on several components used in the design of digital communications. He retired in 1989 after 35 years of service.

Courtney married Claire Brochu on November 25, 1954. Together they lived in New Jersey, moving to North Andover in 1958. While living there he was a faithful member of Saint Michael’s Parish, serving there as an usher. He also kept busy with several local voluntary organizations such as the Lion’s Club, Knights of Columbus, and the Holy Name Society. Courtney and Claire later moved to Haverhill after his retirement, where he was a member of Sacred Hearts Parish and served on the church financial board. He also kept active in community service. He was president of the Board of Directors at Brickett Hill condominiums where he lived. He particularly enjoyed being on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Cable TV; having been appointed by the Mayor of Haverhill, he worked on the development of a network for Comcast using optical fiber for private use by the City of Haverhill. 

Golfing was a great passion for Courtney. He was a member at Haverhill Country Club and an avid golfer once in retirement, playing in tournaments there and occasionally traveling to some of the beautiful golf courses in the country. He enjoyed traveling with Claire to North Carolina and California to visit his out of state children and grandchildren. Courtney was a very hard worker all his life, diligent, and dedicated, with an industrious attitude to achieve. He valued education and having purpose,  and most of all loved his family very much, offering up his support throughout the years in countless ways. 

In addition to his parents, Courtney is predeceased by his sister, Ruth Cyr, and his brother, Dr. Robert Longton. Also his beloved wife of 73 years, Claire, and his daughter Karen. Surviving are his other 3 children; son David Longton and wife Jan Yang, Haverhill, MA; son Alan Longton and wife MaryJo MacLean, Winterville, NC; daughter Cynthia Norris and husband Kelly Norris, Placerville, CA. He also has several nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to all the staff at Bridges for their compassionate care and love for Courtney, as well as Hospice of Massachusetts and Right At Home of Haverhill.  We are so grateful for all of you.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 13, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 S. Main Street, Haverhill at 11:30 AM. Interment will take place on Thursday, November 16, in Linwood Cemetery, Mill Street, Haverhill at 12:00 PM. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com

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