Michael P. Loftus

Michael P. Loftus of Brockton passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of July 21, 2024, at age 65.

Born in Arlington, he was the beloved eldest son to the late Bernard and Patricia Loftus. He inherited a dry sense of humor and profound work ethic from his father, and a lifelong love of hockey from his mother. Mike grew up a proud Brocktonian and lived there all his life, graduating from Brockton High School in 1977 as “puck-losing defenseman” of the hockey team and captain of the tennis team.

He continued on to Northeastern University to study journalism, graduating in 1983. As a college co-op, he began working at The Patriot Ledger in 1979 and would continue to work as a reporter, primarily as their Bruins beat writer, for over forty years.

While hockey was his passion as a reporter, Mike took a brief interlude as the assistant publicity director for the New England Patriots during the 1980s, only to return to the Ledger to cover hockey from the high school to national level from 1989 through his retirement in 2020. He became a frequent contributor to The Hockey News and advocated for his colleagues as chapter president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Known as a thorough and deliberate reporter with a well-timed dry joke, Mike was a mentor to countless young writers and never missed a chance to talk to his own kids on the phone once his deadline was met.

Mike was an unbelievable dad to Jamie and Benjamin Loftus, imbuing them with his passion for music, comedy, writing, and wearing the same outfit a lot. He was an ardent music listener and an accomplished drummer, finding calm in routine – going on walks, coffee at Cumberland Farms, and weekly dinners with his adored younger sisters Jane Burton and Kate Hughes. He patiently tolerated a lifelong partnership with Jennifer 'Jill' Loftus for nearly five decades and was a friend to anyone who caught a blink-and-you’d-miss-it joke at a press conference, blood drive, or family function.

He was a loving and supportive uncle to goddaughter and niece Emily Coleman; nieces Hannah Burton, Molly Burton, Caroline Hughes, and Crystal LeBretton; and godson and nephew, Griffin Hughes.

No matter the role – son, brother, father, spouse, neighbor, colleague, friend – Mike was deliberate, gentle, and funny in his words and actions, and will be sorely missed. He would have notes on this obituary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to American Red Cross – he was a self-professed “avid bleeder for the cause.” Visitation will be held at Waitt Funeral Home in Brockton on Thursday, July 25th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., scored by Mike’s favorite music, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 p.m.

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