A wake was held Saturday for Owen Johnson, the longest-tenured state senator in Long Island history.

Friends and loved ones paid their respects to Johnson, who served Babylon and the surrounding area for more than 40 years. He died of natural causes at the age of 85 on Wednesday.

Johnson was first elected to the state Senate in 1972 and remained in office until his retirement in 2012. He was a member of the "Long Island Nine," a group of influential Republican Senators from Long Island. Local leaders say he gained the respect of those across the political aisle as well.

Sen. Johnson's funeral will take place on Monday.