Obituary of H. Joseph Loftus

H. Joseph (Joe) Loftus passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 in Lockport NY at age 91. Joe was born on May 1, 1928 to Anna Reynolds Loftus and Howard Loftus of Lockport. Joe is survived by his son Michael Loftus (Julie Glasgow), daughter Mary Loftus (Ken Polchlopek), granddaughter Stephany Voss, grandson Christian (Donna) Voss, great granddaughter Olivia Voss, sister Anne Jeanne (Peter) Grant and several nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his wife Mary Alice (Bush) Loftus, daughter Molly Loftus, and siblings Alice Burke, James Loftus, Janet Naslund, Mary Louise Moran, Carol Evans, Richard Loftus and Robert Loftus. Joe graduated from Lockport High School in 1947 and from the University of Buffalo School of Engineering in 1951. His first job after college was with the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Maryland. Joe was drafted to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War and tested rockets at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. After his honorable discharge Joe returned to Lockport and joined Bell Aerospace, where he spent the remainder of his career until retirement in 1991. Joe designed, tested and managed projects associated with the rocket propulsion systems used in United States aerospace programs, including the Apollo moon landings, as well as missile defense systems for the United Kingdom. Joe was a member of St. Mary’s Church and served as lector and on the parish council building committee for many years. Joe was an avid traveler whose other interests included bicycling, fishing, genealogy, canoeing, bird watching, gardening, reading and music. In later life he became an expert baker and his delicious creations were enjoyed by family, friends and neighbors. Joe will be remembered by all who knew him for his beautiful blue eyes, ready smile, his calm and gentlemanly manner and his helpfulness to others. The family would like to thank all who provided care for Joe in recent years. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date due to current circumstances. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations in Joe’s name be made to the Niagara Aerospace Museum, the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (FINWR) or the Lockport Public Library.