The family and friends of Francois Longdaye, an 18-year-old Navy sailor from Webster, Massachusetts, are speaking out after his tragic death in a crash in Pensacola, Florida.
Boston 25 News spoke with Longdaye's family, former teammates, and coaches about the legacy he leaves behind and how the Webster community is rallying around his family during this difficult time.
He always had my back. Every time my mom would get mad at me,
he always told me right from wrong.
Heartbreak tonight in Webster. Family and friends
of a Navy sailor speak only to Boston 25 News about his loss.
The 18-year-old died Saturday morning after a car crash in Florida.
The other two members of the service were also killed.
Boston 25's Daniel Coates tells us
the recent high school grad left a big mark on his community.
The pain unbearable as the tragic reality sets
in for the mother of Francois Longday.
He's everything to me.
She was comforted by extended family in their living room,
next to a picture of her 18-year-old son in his naval uniform.
He's a big loss for us, not only for the mother,
for the whole community.
He's the best one that anyone can ever ask for.
Joseph, now without his wiser older brother.
He always had my back. Every time my mom would get mad at me,
he always told me right from wrong.
The recruit was one of three servicemen killed over the weekend
in a fiery early morning crash in Pensacola, Florida.
Police said no other cars were involved.
The Webster team headed south in September
to chase his dreams of serving our country.
It was devastating. It's devastating to hear.
Head coach at Bartlett High, Dane LaBossignier,
has been consoling his current and former players all week.
Francois was his tight end and D-lineman just last fall.
But the joyful and magnetic class president.
Made his post-grad plans very clear with a smile on his face.
He told me from the word go he wanted to be an aeronautical engineer.
Longday's 34 now dawned on new sweatshirts spread across the program.
His number will be on each helmet Friday night
as they battle for a playoff spot.
This season's in honor of him.
I mean, he was just the greatest kid.
He was tough.
Hard working. Every play he played like it was his last.
Luigi and other teammates stopped by Thursday
to offer condolences to Francois' grieving mother
and stand united as a football community.
They've got to go out there and give it their all, man.
I mean, remember what they're playing for.
They're not just playing for the school on the front of their jersey,
not even just for a playoff spot.
They're playing for the memory of 34
and everything he did for the program.
And in the midst of this tragedy,
the family is also facing funeral and memorial expenses.
Transportation costs and other immediate needs.
A GoFundMe has been made, and if you'd like to donate,
you can find it on our website, boston25news.com.
I'm Steven Webster. I'm Daniel Coates
for your local station, Boston 25 News.
