LEOMINSTER -- The upcoming 4th annual Tommy Long Memorial Ride honors a man who deeply loved his family and being out on the open road.
The inaugural ride took place on Aug. 27, 2022, around the first anniversary of Thomas Allen Long's tragic death at the age of 37 following a motorcycle accident. It has since become a yearly summer tradition organized through a partnership with Wilder Lodge and Sands of Time, a city-based motorcycle riding association promoting masonry, charity, and brotherhood, to honor the late Lancaster resident.
This year's Tommy Long Memorial Ride is on Saturday, Aug. 16, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and kickstands going up at 11 a.m. Festivities will follow the completion of the 40-mile ride that begins and ends at Wilder Lodge, 69 West St., a scenic loop that goes through Princeton, West Boylston, Sterling, and Lancaster, with the police-chaperoned trip taking about one hour.
The ride was created in memory of Tommy -- a fallen Mason, avid motorcyclist, and devoted husband, father of two daughters, son, and brother. It raises funds for the various charities Sands of Time supports, such as the Leominster Mayor's Heating Fund, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Clear Path for Veterans New England out of Devens, foster children focused Rise Above Foundation, and the Wilder Lodge Scholarship Fund.
"Charity is at the core of Freemasonry, and the Sands of Time is about engaging our local community here in Leominster and doing some good," said Sands of Time Treasurer Jason Singleton of the organization that falls under the Widows Sons of Massachusetts umbrella. "You may see us on weekend rides with other motorcycle enthusiasts riding in the name of charity and raising funds for those in need."
Singleton said the Sands of Time's mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is to raise funds "and awareness for local needs within the community" including for charities benefitting children and veterans "and those in need." Since the group was founded in February of 2024, they have donated $5,000 to various charities including $500 to the Mayor's Heating Fund last December.
"We think it is important as a Leominster based charity to support the local community and surrounding areas," Singleton said. "We are certainly interested in creating more awareness around what we do, our events, and our causes."
He went on to say that "you don't even have to ride to participate" in the Tommy Long Memorial Ride -- and that everyone is welcome, including riders and the general public.
"Following the ride there will be food, music, refreshments, and raffles at the Wilder Lodge from noon to 4 p.m.," Singleton said.
There are opportunities for local businesses to support the ride with sponsorships, which includes ad space on the ride t-shirts distributed to attendees and sold at the event. Singleton said that while sponsorship spots for this year are filled, people are welcome to email [email protected] if interested in future opportunities.
People can follow Sands of Time - Widows Sons, MA on Facebook and to donate and for additional information on the group and the charities they support can visit sotwsma.com.
There were about 30 riders who participated in the first Tommy Long Memorial Ride, the second year there were 40, and last year there were 60.
"The ride event has grown every year," Singleton said. "We hope to have 100 riders at this year's event."
He went on to say that Tommy, who was a dedicated Wilder Lodge member, "was a brother of ours within Freemasonry" -- and they are honored to remember him this way.
"While the route of the ride has changed over the years, we always pass the Old Stone Church to commemorate our fallen brother," Singleton said of the location nearby where Tommy's accident occurred.
Another special moment that happens each year is to toast Tommy after the ride with his favorite beverage, Diet Mountain Dew. His widow Emily Long shared that she and their daughters - Hannah, now nine, and Natalie, seven -- appreciate Tommy being remembered with this special ride.
"As Tommy's wife, I look forward to this event every year," Emily said. "It's heartwarming to see so many people come together to remember and honor Tommy and support some worthy causes while doing it."
She went on to say that she and Tommy had planned on becoming foster parents so it's "especially special" to her that some of the proceeds of this year's memorial ride will go to Rise Above, a Massachusetts nonprofit that provides enrichment opportunities to youth in the foster care system.
"The guys at Wilder Lodge and the Widows Sons have worked so hard every year to make this event successful and it keeps getting bigger and better," Emily said. "They have always made the girls and I feel cared for and supported. These guys are salt of the earth, just like Tommy was. And while I love seeing all those bikes out there, I also want to take a minute to urge riders and drivers to please be extra careful. Always wear a helmet no matter what state you are in, be aware of your surroundings, and ride safe!"
She recently got engaged to Zac Currier, who she met in December of 2021, and they live together in Westminster with her daughters. Her girls absolutely adore him, and they made a Father's Day card last month with a drawing of Tommy and Zac high fiving.
"Zac and I found each other shortly after Tommy died while I was still deep in my grief," Emily said. "He was so kind and understanding. Never once made me feel like I couldn't talk about Tommy, in fact he asked questions to get to know Tommy. To this day Zac still includes him in our daily life, helping me keep his memory alive for the girls. I'm really proud of the life we have built together after such tragedy."
She went on to say that while "the hard dates are fast approaching" she is "blessed with a huge support system."
"Can't imagine getting through it without them," Emily said, naming her mom Kathy Trombly, her sister Allison Giangrande and her family, and her best friend Brittany Desmarais as just some of the many people in her circle who have lifted her and her girls up through all of this.
She shared that she and Zac "are excited" to be engaged and that the girls "are happy" too.
"It just goes to show that true joy and happiness exists even through the grief."