James “Jimmy” Loughlin, age 93, passed away October 20, 2014, in the house he built for his family. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and the great-grandfather. Jimmy was a lifelong resident of East Falls.
Jimmy was born to Walter and Margret Loughlin and raised on Dobson Street. He attended Breck Elementary School where he met a girl, Doris Marion Jackson, who would later become his wife. In his youth, he played both football and baseball with the neighborhood teams. Following a job working for the railroad, Jimmy joined the Army Air Corps and served his country in Europe for three years during World War II. After coming home from the War, Jimmy married Doris Jackson and built a home for their family “up on the hill” in East Falls.
Jim worked as a general contractor for 60 years, continuing the legacy of three generations of stone masons and bricklayers. Over the years he offered job opportunities to many of the neighborhood young men. He took pride in his work and mentored many. He was a storyteller, a jokester and a devoted family man. He enjoyed dancing and was an avid skier until he was 80 years old.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife, Doris, and his three loving children, Cheryl Wood of Manassas, Virginia, Deborah Loughlin of East Falls, and Brad Loughlin of Clearwater, Florida. He also leaves behind two cherished grandchildren, Kelly Erickson (Steve) and Stephen Wood (Pricilla); three great-grandchildren, Jack, Sophie and Ella; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Smith and Nancy Stevenson; brother-in-law, Richard Stevenson; son-in-law, Larry; daughter-in-law, Dee, and many nieces and nephews.
“Our Daddy’s hands were rough and scarred,
but he gently held us in his arms.”