September 16, 1932 – January 28, 2024
Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan. Noted Wine Historian.
Daniel “Dan” T. Longone, University of Michigan Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and well-known culinary and wine historian, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the age of 91. Dan earned a PhD at Cornell University. After a year as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Illinois, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan in 1959. His research interests were in organic chemistry, particularly the synthesis and behavior of novel structures and the preparation of synthetic polymers with unusual properties. Dan retired from the University of Michigan in 1987 having taught thousands of students during his tenure, many of whom he kept in touch with throughout his life. Dan was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Cologne, American Chemical Society Fellow, visiting professor at the University of Barcelona and visiting professor in Marburg, Germany, Catania, Sicily, and Istanbul, Turkey. He held various consultantships in polymer research and had a long tenure with General Motors Research.
Dan, along with his predeceased wife Janice “Jan” Bluestein Longone, founded The Wine and Food Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1972, which is renowned for being one of the most extensive collections of antiquarian culinary resources in existence.
While Jan was recognized as the foremost authority on the history of American cooking, Dan’s expertise was on the history of grapes and wine in America. In 2009, Dan was the curator of a highly acclaimed exhibit and lecture entitled “500 Years of American Grapes and Wine: A Remarkable Journey” at the University of Michigan’s William Clements Library. Dan also founded the Ann Arbor Wine and Food Society, was a founding member of the Detroit Chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux, and lectured on wine nationally for the American Chemical Society.
The Longones’ collection of more than 20,000 pieces is now the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive housed at the University of Michigan. Through their lifelong intellectual and philanthropic contributions, Dan and Jan created an important assemblage of historical work associated with food and wine.
Juli McCloone, curator of the Archive, reflected on the impact of their work. “In a lifetime labor of love, Dan and his beloved wife Jan assembled a truly world-class collection of cookbooks, menus, and culinary documents. Dan’s particular focus was on building a rich collection of resources on viticulture and the history of wine, and he took joy in being generous with his time and expertise,” she said. “By establishing the Janice Bluestein Longone Culinary Archive at the University of Michigan Library, they ensured that students and scholars of future generations will be able to draw on these incredible resources to study the history of food and drink in society.”
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Dan was the oldest son of Daniel “Buster” and Anna “Babe” Longone, and grew up on Windham Street surrounded by his Italian grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. He met Jan when both their families summered at Revere Beach in Massachusetts during their teenage years. They married in 1954 and spent their entire lives sharing the impact of wine and food in society. Both were sought-after speakers, prolific writers and teachers on food and wine, as well as treasured resources for some of the world’s most famous chefs and restaurateurs. Together Dan and Jan taught and co-taught courses on gastronomy and food history sponsored by the University of Michigan. Their vocations and international acclaim took them on numerous travels to Spain, France, and other places where they could indulge in their love of food and meet many of their fans of The Wine and Food Library.
Despite their global journeys and fulfilled life in Ann Arbor, both Dan and Jan enjoyed immensely the time they shared with family in Massachusetts.
Dan leaves his nieces and nephews, Joseph F. Longone and wife Suzanne of Worcester, MA; Daniel E. Longone of Portsmouth, NH; Michael A. Longone and wife Annette of Phoenix, AZ; Lisa C. Longone-Thibaud and husband Michael of Worcester; and his brother-in-law, Bernard Bluestein and wife Annette of Lake Worth, FL. Additional nieces and nephews include Elliott Bluestein and wife Claire of Acworth, GA; Jay Bluestein and wife Lorraine Carli of Harwich, MA; and Michael Bluestein of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also leaves his cousins Alberta Longone-Messer and husband William of Wayne, ME; David Longone and wife Irene of Worcester, MA; Jackie Longone and wife Linda of Worcester, MA; Claudia Longone-Gauthier and her husband Donald; Thea Consiglio; Stephanie Russo and husband Tony; and the Pagazzo family of Taranto, Italy. Dear lifelong friends include Mary Steffek-Bleske and husband Tom, Gwen Nystuen, and Terry Gallagher, all of Ann Arbor, MI.
He is predeceased by his parents, his wife, his brother, Joseph D. Longone, and his niece, Gina C. Foster.
A Celebration of Life to honor both Dan and Jan is being planned in Ann Arbor, Michigan at a later date.
