Philip P. Loring

Philip Prouty Loring, 84, passed away on September 15, 2026, after living for many years with Parkinson's disease. His life was marked by curiosity, resilience, adventure, faith, and, above all, love for his family. Whether skiing down a mountain, traveling to distant corners of the world, gathering his family for Sunday dinner or finding new ways to serve his community, Philip embraced life with enthusiasm and an enduring willingness to try something new.

Born on April 15, 1942, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Philip was the son of Ronald and Marjorie (Prouty) Loring. He grew up in Kingston and graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1960.

Phil became known affectionately to friends as “Whitey,” for the remarkably light hair he had as a young man, and later as “Down Hill Phil,” for his lifelong love of skiing and adventure.

Following high school, Philip served in the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. He went on to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied Hospitality and Tourism Management, graduated in 1966 and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

It was at UMass, during a fraternity and sorority mixer, that Philip met Margaret Anne Fiske of East Longmeadow. They married and began their life together in Liverpool, New York, where Philip accepted his first professional position managing the dining commons at Syracuse University.

The couple eventually returned to Massachusetts, settling first in Scituate. Philip began a career in banking at Suffolk Franklin Savings Bank in Boston and continued his education at the Graduate School of Savings Banking at Brown University. He later joined Warren Five Cents Savings Bank in Peabody, and the family moved to Boxford, where Philip and Margaret raised their three sons, Michael, Daniel and Randall.

In 1978, Philip experienced one of the deepest losses of his life when Margaret died unexpectedly. Left to raise their three young boys as a single father, he embraced that responsibility with tremendous devotion. Despite the challenges he faced, Philip created a loving home for his sons and made certain that family remained at the center of their lives. Through his example, he taught them resilience, perseverance, and the importance of moving forward, even during life's most difficult moments.

His faith became an important part of his journey. Philip converted to Catholicism and became involved with the La Salette community. He participated in Cursillo and helped bring the program to people in local prisons. He also volunteered with Lazarus House, finding meaning in helping others and contributing to his community.

Philip was never afraid to begin a new chapter. After years in banking, he decided to pursue a different path, opening a wine and cheese shop in Lowell. In many ways, the venture was a return to his roots and the passions that had led him to study Hospitality and Tourism Management at UMass Amherst. It gave him an opportunity to combine his love of food and hospitality with his entrepreneurial spirit and natural ability to connect with people. He eventually returned to banking, where he spent many years as a mortgage originator.

Later in life, Philip moved to Newburyport, where he became active in the local walking group and the Unitarian Church. Through both communities, he developed wonderful and lasting friendships that enriched his later years. These relationships reflected his lifelong ability to connect with others, embrace new experiences, and find a sense of belonging wherever life took him.

An enthusiastic skier, golfer, runner and hiker, Philip loved the outdoors and believed in staying active. His adventures took him well beyond New England. He skied and hiked in the Alps, traveled on river tours through Russia and crawled through tunnels in Vietnam. He approached travel with genuine curiosity and a desire to experience the world rather than simply observe it.

Philip was also a devoted Boston sports fan and loved the simple pleasure of gathering his family for Sunday dinner, often with a game playing on the television. He enjoyed theater and especially cherished the family's annual tradition of attending the Christmas Revels at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge. These occasions reflected something important about Philip: he understood the value of bringing people together and creating memories that would last.

For all his adventures, professional accomplishments and community involvement, Philip's greatest legacy was his family. He was a devoted father, a proud grandfather and a friend who formed lasting relationships wherever life took him.

Perhaps what best captures Philip is that he never stopped participating in life. Through joy and hardship, he continued to seek new experiences, nurture friendships, support his family and find reasons to look forward to what came next.

Philip is survived by his three sons, Michael (Cheryl) Loring of Manchester, Massachusetts; Daniel (Jennifer) Loring of Stoneham, Massachusetts; and Randall Loring of Rockport, Massachusetts; and his grandchildren, Matthew Whalen, Elizabeth Loring, Elijah Loring, Marlena Loring, Allison Cabral and Julia Cabral.

He is also survived by his niece, Jennifer Miskelly, and her daughters, Kathryn and Megan; and his nephew, Robert (Danika) Miskelly, and their daughter, Eleanor.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margaret Loring; his parents, Ronald and Marjorie (Prouty) Loring; and his sister, Brenda Loring.

His family will remember his humor, his energy, his adventurous spirit, and his determination to keep moving forward through life's challenges. Above all, they will remember a devoted father and grandfather who taught them, through his own example, that life is meant to be lived fully, friendships are meant to be cherished, and family is what matters most.

A Celebration of Life honoring Philip Prouty Loring will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Philip's memory to Lazarus House Ministries or The Parkinson's Foundation. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.