Anthony Loch

Anthony Loch "Pro" passed away peacefully on October 5, 2022 with his family by his side. One of nine children, Tony was born on June 28, 1930 to Teofil and Antonina Loch in Exeter, NH

Tony graduated from Exeter High School in 1948 and was an athletic standout. He also attended Phillips Exeter Academy. In 1950, he married Sheila (Tupper), his wife of 72 years. Together they raised their ten children in the communities of Exeter, Claremont, Greenland and Portsmouth. They eventually retired in Dover, NH.

Tony began his golf career as Head Professional at Claremont Country Club in 1954. When given the opportunity to become Head Professional at the newly constructed Portsmouth Country Club in 1957, he eagerly took the position and it became his home for the next 34 years. After his retirement from PCC in 1991, Tony spent the last 4 years of his career as the GM at Pease Golf Course. Throughout his golf career, he cherished the many relationships he developed with club members, staff, and colleagues. Tony had an uncanny ability to remember names, even of those he met only briefly.

Tony was an accomplished NEPGA Golf Professional, having won the NH Chapter Championship in 1977 and again in 1984. He was also named the NH Chapter Professional of the Year in 1978. He had the distinction to be among the first class inducted into the NH Golf Hall of Fame in 2018. Tony was a strong advocate for young people to join the game of golf and was honored to have mentored many aspiring youths. He was extremely proud that several of his proteges and caddies became golf professionals themselves. It is fitting that he was instrumental in forming The Seacoast Amateur, a premier Seacoast NH golf event.

Golf wasn't Tony's only passion; he and his wife Sheila enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren participate in sports, music, and arts events. You could regularly see them toting lawn chairs as they rooted for the local team and athletes, on the court, field, and track. Another favorite pastime was walking the golf course, hunting for golf balls, and giving them away. Tony also loved to travel. From golf excursions with friends to traveling broadly with family, he thoroughly enjoyed these adventures.

Tony's greatest joy was his wife and children. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family. His generosity, honesty, and work ethics are his legacy to carry on.

Tony is survived by his wife, Sheila, and their ten children: Bob of Rye NH and his wife, Taryn; Kate Vetter of Eliot ME and her husband, Scott; Pamela Saurman of Warner NH and her husband J. Douglas; Susanne Pirolli of Wareham MA and her husband, Bob; Stephen of Portsmouth NH and his wife, Kara; Sandy Truax of Dover NH and her husband, Dean; Elizabeth Goodsell of Stratham NH and her husband, Mark; Timothy of Dover NH and his wife, Brook; Christopher of Hillsborough NC and his wife, Mary; and Jennifer Loch of Rochester NH. Tony was the proud grandparent to 24 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 4-7 P.M. on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at the Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State Street, Portsmouth NH. Parking is available behind the Immaculate Conception Church lot on Winter Street, off State Street. A funeral mass will be said on October 14 at 10:00 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer Street, Portsmouth NH. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Portsmouth NH. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution in Tony's name to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (https://tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate) or a charity of your choice.