Mr. Richard J. Loftus

Mr. Richard J. Loftus, 87, of 57 Asci Dr., passed away Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Berkshire Medical Center. Born in Pittsfield on April 29, 1927 the son of Martin and Gertrude Gauthier Loftus, he was a 1945 graduate of St. Joseph High School. Mr. Loftus was a US Navy veteran of WWII. He was the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal. He was very proud of his military service during the war. Upon returning from military service he began working for General Electric in Pittsfield. He was a Transformer Winder in the Power Transformer division for over 40 years. He retired in 1986. Richard and his wife Lois enjoyed traveling and would go wherever their sense of adventure would take them; from landing on glaciers in Alaska, enjoying the beaches of Hawaii and the Caribbean, and traveling throughout the Southwest, they truly enjoyed their retired years together. Richard also spent time during his retired years on home projects as well as doing woodworking and carpentry for others. He also enjoyed canvas painting. He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Dalton and a former communicant of the former St. Francis Church in Pittsfield. He also belonged to the Order of the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Loftus leaves his wife, the former Lois LaVigne, whom he married in St. Joseph Church on September 2, 1950. He is also survived by his five children, Michele Loftus Trzcinski and her husband Ronald, Peter Loftus, Christopher Loftus and his wife Sarah, Richard Loftus and his wife Leslie and Timothy Loftus and his wife Ellen; 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; a brother in law George Merritt and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Marian Merritt. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mr. Richard J. Loftus will be Monday, November 17, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. from the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Church, celebrated by Rev. A. Peter Gregory, pastor. Burial with full military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery in North Adams. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday morning, prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. If friends desire, donations may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home in his memory. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE ONLINE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Mr. Richard J. Loftus

April 29, 1927 - November 8, 2014