John E. Long Jr., 50; Northampton Township supervisor

John Edward Long Jr., 50, vice chairman of the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors, whose interest in history led to his involvement in preservation and community-service projects, died of a heart ailment and diabetes Monday at home.

Mr. Long graduated from Council Rock High School. He studied history at Pennsylvania State University, though he knew he would one day go into the printing business his father founded. He was the only son of four children; certain things were expected.

His interest in history fueled his later efforts in historic preservation. An affinity for public service came partly by way of family. Mr. Long's grandfather Add B. Anderson was a longtime business manager for the Philadelphia Board of Education, and an elementary school in West Philadelphia is named after him.

While working his way up in the family business, Long Forms Inc. in Huntingdon Valley, Mr. Long began filling his off hours volunteering with groups including the Jaycees and the Boy Scouts. He eventually was appointed to the Northampton Water and Sewer Authority.

He married Paige Kimball in 1981.

In 1997, Mr. Long, a Republican, was elected to the first of two terms on the Board of Supervisors. He also served on the Bucks County Community College board of trustees and was instrumental in helping to preserve the campus' Tyler Hall.

Six years ago, Mr. Long joined the board of Pearl S. Buck International in Perkasie, a children's aid and adoption group that offers tours of the author's Bucks County home. Mr. Long's knowledge of Chinese history and self-deprecating ease with people served him well in his work for the nonprofit, said Janet L. Mintzer, its president.

During Mr. Long's tenure on the board, disputes arose between the foundation and members of Buck's family over the original manuscript of Buck's The Good Earth and other archival materials. The disagreements were resolved when both parties sat down to talk without their lawyers present.

"That was John's personality. He said, 'We just need to talk to them,' " Mintzer said. "So we all sat down in my kitchen, and we left with an agreement."

In addition to his wife, Mr. Long is survived by sons Christopher and Jeffrey, daughters Devon and Whitney, and three sisters.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd., Richboro, where services will begin at 8.

Memorial donations may be made to Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie, Pa. 18944.