Patrick Joseph Loftus, Jr., age 74, passed away November 21, 2012, at Mira Vista Care Center, Mount Vernon. He was born August 26, 1938 in Exeter, PA to immigrant parents Patrick J. Loftus, Sr. and Mary Bridget “Molly” (O’Boyle), both from Co. Mayo, Ireland.
As a child, he belonged to Boy Scouts of America, leading a particularly rowdy group of boys. He graduated from Irvington High School and attended Ryder College in New Jersey. He married Carol Gorski in 1961, and then moved to Edison, New Jersey in 1963 where he spent many years as
He was a volunteer firefighter for Raritan Engine Company #1, later serving on the Middlesex County Arson Task Force. He worked for Engelhard, a precious metal refinery, for 17 years, was a competitive and accomplished IPSC marksman, and later changed careers and became a Real Estate Agent.
Patrick adopted his daughter, Cindy, as an infant in 1971. He became caretaker for his elderly mother and took on raising his daughter as a single father in the 80’s, something very rare for the time. He was a board member for Displaced Homemakers, and was involved with the Elks #2487 in Edison, serving a term as Exalted Ruler.
Patrick moved to Washington State in 1988, meeting the love of his life, Elizabeth Rundberg in 1992, marrying in 1999. He sold a little more real estate and also was a retail sales manager. He participated and was certificated in the SALT program sponsored by Seattle University.
He served as Director of Religious Education for Saint Cecelia Church in Stanwood, Washington, impacting many people of all ages, welcoming many into the Catholic Church, and he joined Knights of Columbus, becoming a 4th degree Knight.
Patrick was an Irishman, a gifted storyteller, easily recognized by his big booming voice and full head of white hair, intelligent, well read & a lifetime learner, who never met a stranger and loved talking with anyone. He was generous, had a strong faith in God, loved bagpipe music and Country and Western music, loved to sing but couldn’t carry a tune, hunted and fished, enjoyed nature and occasionally played Santa at the firehouse Christmas parties when Cindy was little and again for his 2 oldest grandchildren when they were small.
Although numerous health problems caused him a great deal of discomfort for the last years of his life, he bore them with little complaint. He resided at Mira Vista Care Center for the last 2 years where he was cared for by the wonderful staff. Thank you for all their loving care. He also received excellent care from Skagit Valley Hospital many times over the last few years.
He was eagerly awaiting the birth of his newest granddaughter expected on Christmas.
Patrick is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Cynthia and her husband, Richard; grandchildren, Forrest, Aidan and Cooper Ristow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leo Loftus; granddaughter, Opal Ristow, and many dear Aunts, Uncles and cousins both on the East Coast and in Ireland.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Paul Koenig, at 11:00 AM, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012, at Saint Cecelia Catholic Church, 26900 78th Ave. NW, Stanwood, followed by a reception in the church hall. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00, Thurs. evening at St. Cecelia. His final resting place will be at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline, Washington.
Pat is the father of my best friend Cindy. If you were friends with Cindy that meant you had to be friends with Pat too. I had never met a man raising a daughter on his own and was extremely envious of their relationship, she confided in him, she trusted him and the obvious respect and love they had for each other is something that I see Cindy has instilled in her beautiful family today. He was a generous man, often letting me stay over for days at a time, feeding me, and putting up with our questionable hairdo’s and fashion choices.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Cindy, Rick, Forrest, Aidan, Cooper and most of all to the love of his life and best friend Elizabeth.
Thank you Pat for sharing Cindy with me.
Uncle Pat, is what I always called you and I am now in my 40’s. Your love of life and family has stayed with me all these years. I will always remember you leaving on Christmas eve to run an “errand”, then Santa Claus would come around on the fire truck. Uncle Pat always made sure he wouldn’t get to close to the house so Cindy wouldn’t know it was her Dad. I think I had the only Jewish family that put up a Christmas tree every year with Santa.
I remember the call to my parents house when he found out he won custody of Cindy, I have never heard a man so happy I know my Mom and Dad are with him smiling at all of the grandchildren, as he always wanted a large family.
Uncle Pat, you will be missed by all those who have known you, as you seemed to touch everyone you met. You smile will even make heaven a better place to be. Condolences to Elizabeth, Cindy and the rest of the ever growing family.
We have nice memories of Patrick. One night Henny was complaining of chest pains, I thought he only had gas, Patrick came and took him to JFK, they said it had something to do with the lungs . Patrick was always there to lend a helping hand.
At Christmas time we would all go into New York City (one year it was 28 of us) to see the tree and then go to Rosie O’Grady’s, I can still remember Patrick doing the soft shoe dance, he was a good dancer and a lot of fun.
Patrick was the kind of man who was there for everyone. He worked the night shift so he was available for all of us for errands or emegencies because we didn’t drive. He took me to the doctor numerous times when Erin had casts on her legs. When Erin fell off the car, he was the one who took me to the doctor for the stitches. He was the one who took the kids for their driver’s license. Patrick always had a story to tell. I remember the story when his mother waxed the leather seats in his car without telling him, and when he went around a corner (and I am sure it was fast), he had to hold on to the steering wheel to keep from sliding into the passenger seat. But, the best story was when he bought a new suit, and the first time he wore it to a wake, he bent down to talk to the family and tears came to his eyes, not so much that he was upset, but because the tailor left a pin in the suit. Go in peace Patrick and be assured that your legacy will continue with Cindy and your grandchildren. Our sincere condolences to your dear Elizabeth. With love, Sharon and Frank.
Not sure if Patrick had family in West Wyoming , Pa. I am the daughter of Betty Cotter Adonizio, she was related to the Loftus family that lived on 6th St. inWest Wyoming, Pa.
Patrick had a full life and certainly an unselfish one.
My Mother’s family was also from County Mayo, Ireland.
Pat, you were a big man, with a big heart. You always commanded attention in every room you entered. Your laugh was contagious and would make everyone smile. You raised a beautiful and wonderful daughter and set a wonderful example for Cindy about the importance of family and to show your love always. You will be missed, but I know you will be the life of the party up in heaven and will look down on us from time to time to make sure we are making the most of our lives.