William Loring

William Loring, 85, of Lowell Street, South Portland, Me., died November 25 at a Portland hospital. He was born April, 4, 1915, in Portland, son of William J. and Helen (Herbert) Loring.

He was the father of James A. Loring of Newtown.

Mr Loring attended schools in Portland and graduated from Portland High School in 1932. He was employed by Hay’s Drug Store for 12 years and was assistant manager when he left to work at Todd-Bath Shipyard. In 1942 he entered the US Army and served with the 100th Division 397th Infantry Regiment in France and Germany. He received two bronze stars for meritorious service and was discharged as staff sergeant in December 1945.

He entered the Railway Mail Service in March 1946, was a sub-clerk in railway mail cars and in the terminal located in the former Union Station. He was clerk in the district office, a supervisor, transportation assistant, and personnel assistant. In 1958 he was transferred to the Portland Post Office as personnel assistant. When highway mail service was established in Maine he was promoted to mobile services assistant. He later served as supervisor at the Pearl Street Station, as foreman, mails and tour superintendent, chief personnel office, assistant postmaster, postmaster (later changed to sectional center manager-postmaster), with jurisdiction of 133 post offices, the position he held when he retired in December, 1973. He was the first postmaster in Maine to be appointed from the ranks, under new regulations of the US Postal Service. He also was employed as office manager for General Fabrications Corp, Scarborough, for three years.

He was associated with Troop 22, BSA, for nine years; South Portland Little League for two years; and served as president and treasurer, Branch 96, National Association of Postal Supervisors. He was a member of Post 17 American Legion for 40 years, and was chairman of the finance committee for three years and elected to the executive committee for three years. He was a member of the Portland Rotary, Disabled American Veterans, and National Association Postmasters of the United States. He was also a member of the Italian Heritage Center, Association of Former Railway Mail Clerks of Northern New England, Chapter 206, National Association Retired Federal Employees, Willard Neighborhood Association, Southern Maine Area Agency Aging and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels Program, and elected to the Advisory Committee.

He was a communicant of Holy Cross Church in South Portland and was active in church affairs. He was a member of the Parish Council.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Marthe (McCusker) Loring of South Portland, Me.; three daughters, M. Jane Pelletier of Miami, Fla., Mrs Mark (Ann) Sullivan of Secretary, Md., and Mrs Brett (Mary) Strout of Topsham, Me.; two other sons, William T. Loring of Westbrook, Me., and Joseph C. Loring of Cumberland, Me.; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was recited November 29 at Holy Cross Church. Burial was in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Conroy-Tully South Portland Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Donations in his memory may be made to American Heart Association, 20 Winter Street, Augusta, ME, or the Cancer Community Center, 778 Main Street, South Portland, ME 04106.

The Newtown Bee         December 8, 2000