Philip James Loree

Philip J. Loree, 92, of Farmington, CT, and formerly of Port Washington and Hornell, NY, died peacefully on September 9, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of the late Beverly White Loree, to whom he was married for 67 years.

Born and raised in Hornell and predeceased by his parents Leon and Matilda (Riefer) Loree and brother John (Jack) Loree, Philip lived in Port Washington for most of his life until he and Beverly moved back to Hornell in the early 2000s. He graduated from Fordham University and went on to earn his J.D. With Distinction at Cornell Law School. Following active duty in the U.S. Army, he began his distinguished legal career at Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine, a New York firm. He later became a managing partner at Hays, Landsman & Head. His practice focused on labor relations, employment and discrimination law, arbitration law, employee benefits, corporate law, maritime law, and mergers and acquisitions.

While an associate at Donovan, Leisure, Philip was elected as an officer of one of the firm's clients, the Federation of American Controlled Shipping ("FACS"), a maritime trade association. He was later elected as Chairman, an office to which he was re-elected annually until he retired from FACS 25 years later.

During his years as an officer of FACS, Philip worked with various U.S. Government departments and agencies including the Department of Defense and the United States Navy, as well as Congressional committees, including the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. He served as an industry adviser to United States State Department and other government delegations to various intergovernmental meetings and conferences; wrote extensively on maritime issues; testified at congressional and executive branch hearings; chaired industry groups here and abroad; was a speaker at maritime conferences and meetings in the United States and twenty other countries; and was a guest lecturer at the U.S. Naval War College, Kings Point Maritime Academy, and the New York, Maine, and California maritime academies.

In January 1980, Philip was decorated by the Republic of Liberia and admitted into the Order of the Star of Africa with the rank of Grand Knight Commander in recognition of his contributions toward the improvement of the Liberian maritime program. He was the 1993 recipient of the prestigious Commodore Award, which is presented annually by the Connecticut Maritime Association in recognition of notable service to the international shipping industry.

Besides being an avid reader, history buff, and music lover, Philip enjoyed golfing, skiing, boating, and fishing. He was also a devoted sports fan, with a special passion for baseball. He and Beverly traveled extensively both in the United States to visit their children and families as well as internationally.

While Philip's career accomplishments are many, perhaps his greatest achievement is his family legacy. He leaves to cherish his memory daughter Barbara Rhodes of Wellsville, NY, son James M. Loree and his wife Rebecca of Farmington, son Philip J. Loree Jr. of Port Washington, daughter Elizabeth J. Loree (Liddy) and her husband Donavan Jones of San Diego, CA, and daughter Pamela L. Eccles and her husband Simon Eccles of El Dorado Hills, CA. He is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Jessica Glaser; Julianne, Merin, Adelaide, and Abigail Loree; Leanna and Michelle Loree; and David and Kevin Eccles; great grandchild Edward Glaser and a second great grandchild expected in September. His brother William Loree and wife Joan also treasure his memory.

Services will be held for his family and friends on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, CT. Graveside service to be held directly after at Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. Memorial donations may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste. 1509, New York, NY 10018 or at parkinson.org. To share a memory or leave condolences for the family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com