Michael E. "Joe" Loftus, a retired lithographer who coached youth athletic teams, died from cancer Oct. 21 at his Perry Hall home. He was 83.
Mr. Loftus was born in Baltimore and raised on Montford Avenue. He attended Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington for two years before dropping out in 1943 to enlist in the Navy.
Mr. Loftus served aboard a Navy tanker in the Pacific until he was discharged in 1946. He remained an active reservist and was recalled to duty during the Korean War before being discharged in 1952.
Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, Mr. Loftus studied lithography at a Baltimore trade school. He worked as a lithographer for more than 40 years for Lord Baltimore Press, International Paper Co. and McCormick & Co. before retiring in 1991.
Mr. Loftus enjoyed coaching teams and during the 1960s coached baseball and basketball at the Shrine of the Little Flower, where he had been president of the Flower Athletic Association.
During the 1970s, Mr. Loftus coached baseball and soccer at Archbishop Curley High School and escorted the school's soccer team on a tour of Poland in 1975.
He was an Orioles, Colts and Ravens fan.
A funeral Mass was offered for Mr. Loftus Saturday at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Fullerton.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, the former Jean Burke; five sons, Michael J. Loftus Jr. of Forest Hill, James T. Loftus of Parkville, Douglas C. Loftus and Richard F. Loftus, both of Baltimore, and Martin D. Loftus of Conowingo; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
