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Robert Loftus Obituary
Son of the late John and Margaret McNeeley Loftus, he was raised by his mother, Mary McHale Loftus. Bob Loftus was devoted to his family, friends and community. He was a man of his word. He was happiest when he was helping others. He grew up in the Depression and is the last survivor of his brothers and sisters. He was a great storyteller and often entertained for hours with stories of growing up in Pittston, adventures in the military and great trips with friends and family. He was affectionately called "Mayor" long after he left the office that he had held for 20 years. He was honored to have served his country and the town that he loved.
Bob was a graduate of St. John the Evangelist High School and Wyoming Seminary Business School. He attended St. Thomas College. He served in the Army Intelligence Corps under Gen. Frank Caufield in World War II. He was greatly influenced by the experiences and friendships he made in the military service of his country. Upon returning from the war, he married Rita Shea and they built a very successful insurance business. He became involved with many civic and fraternal organizations in which he held offices such as the American Legion, Knights of Columbus 4th degree and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He became mayor of the City of Pittston in 1960 and held that position for 20 years. He was chairman of the Democratic Party of Luzerne County for several years. He also served on the board of directors and became vice president of the First National Bank of Pittston. He served as chairman of the Workmen's Insurance Fund of PA for several years.
Bob had a strong faith and religious beliefs. He was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He was the historian of Pittston, which he loved dearly. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of Wesley Village for their kindness and wonderful care.
Also surviving are a son, Robert A. Loftus Jr. and his wife, Kathryn Boyd Loftus, and grandsons, Peter R. and Matthew A., Alexandria, Va.; daughter, Mary Loftus Martin and her husband, Robert E. Martin Jr., Centerville and Worcester, Mass.; many wonderful nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was also preceded in death by sisters, Mary Loftus, Peggy Woods and Nancy Gallagher; and brothers, John, Tom and Joe Loftus.
The funeral will be Friday at 9 a.m. from the Peter J. Adonizio Funeral Home, 802 Susquehanna Ave., West Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 in St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston. Interment, St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Pittston.
Friends may call Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William St., Pittston, PA 18640. Online condolences may be made at www.peterjadoniziofuneral home.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Loftus
John Watson
July 10, 2009
To the Loftus family,
I knew Bob Loftus as a man of great integrity whose quiet work helped many people during hard times and whose character in local affairs was of the level rarely seen today.
Chaz Daly
June 26, 2009
Dear Bob, Kathryn, and Sons,
We are all so sorry for your loss. Losing your Dad, Father-in-Law, Grandfather is losing part of yourself. The Dalys grieve with you.
In Sympathy,
The Daly Family: Chaz, Yon Hui, Rose of Sharon, and Charles Y.
DeeDee Holleran Bidwell
June 25, 2009
Dear Mary Frances and Bobby,
Your Dad was a wonderful man who did so many great things for so many people in the Pittston area. He was admired by more people than you probably know. I will keep him in my prayers always.
June 25, 2009
Dear Mary,
My deepest sympathy to you and your mother and brother and all other family and friends in the loss of your father. I know that it is a great loss to lose a loved one. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Valerie Viola Grasso
June 25, 2009
Aunt Rita, Bobby and Mary Francis,
I was sad to hear about Uncle Robert passing away. He was a great man. Just last Sunday I was telling some friends here in Istanbul, Turkey about him and how he had served in World War II.
He use to send my brother Joe (aka Joey) a birthday card every year with money inside the card and we all looked forward to that. It meant a lot to my Dad that he remembered Joey every year on his birthday. I use to love to answer the phone when he called our home especially after my father passed away. His voice sounded so much like my fathers that it would take my breath away. For a few seconds it brought my father back to me. I will miss him.
I know that he loved his family very much and he will be watching over all of you.
We will be praying for your family.
Susan, Tom and Dylan Scanlon
Nancy McGauley Johnson
June 25, 2009
Dear Rita and your dear family:
My sincere condolences on the loss of your life partner,loving husband, devoted father and father-in-law. I’m so pleased I was able to spend some time with you both on occasions to witness your love and respect for one another as well as share the anecdotes and laughter.
I pray all your wonderful memories together will keep your hearts warm and Bob’s tales and spirit flourishing.
Warm thoughts and prayers,
Nancy
Bob Martin’s cousin in Worcester
Elizabeth Singer
June 24, 2009
A voluable, kind, funny man. He cheered my father (Tom Loftus) at my Uncle Joe Loftus’ funeral in 1996. “Did you ever see so many people take off work and fill a church on a weekday, Tom? I never saw anything like it.” May St. John’s rock on Friday morn.
Two years ago I went to see Uncle Robert with my Uncle George Spohrer. Between the two of them, they know everyone on the eastern seaboard. Rapid fire, hilarious, one story after the other rolled out. Realizing that he thought I was one of George’s daughters, I introduced myself by my maiden name: Bette Loftus. He stopped and sighed. “Ahhhhhh, Bette,” he said. And he sighed again. “Tom and Joe,” he said quietly. “Joe and Tom.”
They are all together in the heart of Jesus now. I can almost hear the beautiful voices and the bountiful laughter.
Bette Loftus
June 24, 2009
Mrs. Loftus, Bob and Mary Frances:
Mayor Loftus and I shared many conversations at Wesley. He knew more about my father and uncles than I did. The stories and associations among these men were fascinating and Mayor Loftus detailed all of it. I'm grateful he provided the missing chapters of my family's history.
You are all in my prayers.
Margie Costello Pollard
June 24, 2009
Dear Mary Frances & Bobby,
I am sorry for the loss of your Dad. I always thought he was so cool and I used to love hear him talk. He reminds me so my much of my Dad. Dad always use to talk about his brother, Robert, when we were growing up. Especially, when he sold his car to my Dad. We used to love hearing about his old car story.
He will always be in your heart forever. It is sad that he was the last survivor of the Loftus Family from his generation. I miss them all.
May God bless you and your mother and your family.
Love,
Karen Loftus Mallen
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Nancy Harding
June 24, 2009
Mary Frances, my heart goes out to you and your family with the passing of your dad. I remember how generous he was to all of us.You are truly lucky to have had such a caring father.
June 24, 2009
Dear Bob and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
God Bless You and Your Family
Michelle Ondusko
Mary Beth Clark
June 24, 2009
Dear Mrs. Loftus, Mary Frances and Bobby, My deepest sympathy. I do remember his story telling ability, and good times at your home on Broad Street. I know my parents, Betty and Joe Fisher, enjoyed many good times with Bob and Rita at the K of C and Nolan's. Do take care. Regards, Mary Beth Fisher Clark. Hershey, PA.
R&P Joyce
June 24, 2009
Dear Ellen and Ann and Families
We are sorry for your loss
God Bless
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