Brian John Loftus<br/>August 21, 1929 - December 15, 2014

Brian died peacefully in his home in Newport Beach.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan to Margaret and Leonard Loftus. He was an only child whose father died shortly after his 15th birthday. Brian took it upon himself to help his mother through this loss. His mother was an amazing person and Brian’s strongest influence. As a child of the Great Depression, he developed a strong determination and solid work ethic.

Brian obtained a Jesuit education, one of his greatest gifts, he once said. He attended the University of Detroit High School, and then the University of Detroit, receiving his degree in Economics in 1951. He was then accepted into the Maryknoll Novitiate in 1952.

In 1955, while serving as a First Lieutenant in the United State Marine Corps, Brian met the love of his life, Alice Arace, on a blind date that was arranged by his future brother-in-law. Brian and Alice married in 1956 and lived in New Jersey where Brian started his Wall Street career at Eastman Dillon Union Securities and Company. They started their family, having five children (1 daughter and 4 sons) over the next seven years. In 1961, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Brian earned his Masters degree at Arizona State University, while working as the head of the investment division of Arizona Bank.

In 1970 he accepted a job with Francis I. Dupont in Los Angeles and moved his family to Newport Beach, knowing the community was worth the daily commute. Brian continued to work in the investment industry until he was 84, finishing his career as an investment advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors in Irvine, where he and his youngest son were business partners. Brian loved his work as a financial advisor and greatly valued the friendships he formed with his clients, which was one of the main reasons he continued to work for so long.

Brian’s favorite pastime was tennis. He and Alice were longtime members of the Newport Beach Tennis Club, where he and Alice made many lifelong dear friends. Brian played tennis for many years, and was deeply disappointed to give up the sport when he was no longer able to play at the age of 80.

Brian was an eternal history buff; he was particularly dedicated to the study of World War II. One of his greatest joys was to annually attend one-week classes at Oxford University that focused on the Second World War. Visiting Churchill’s war room and the Normandy American Memorial Cemetery were of great interest and excitement for him. He was an avid reader of spy novels, and books on history and economics.

Brian was a devoted and loving husband of 58 years, and a father whose unwavering love and support nourished his children. He was also a friend and counselor to many, a Hockey-Dad, and a Detroit Tigers fan.

He is survived by his wife Alice, daughter Ann, and sons Kevin, Mark and Sean. He was predeceased by his son Brian Jr. He has 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.