Loring B. Quimby
Loring B. Quimby, 91, longtime resident of Brookline, NH, died on March 9, 2024 at the Alpine Healthcare Center, Keene, NH.
He was born in New Boston, NH on February 25, 1933, the son of Delbert Quimby and Elizabeth (Pratt) Quimby. He grew up in Brookline on the family farm.
Loring graduated from Nashua High School, Class of 1952. He attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. During those years he hitchhiked cross country and for the rest of his life he loved to share those stories.
Loring was a US Army veteran, serving in Germany from 1955 to 1958. During this time, he volunteered in the chaplaincy program. Music was another passion, and he enjoyed the company of many fine musicians.
He remained in Germany while in the reserves, became fluent in German and had several interesting jobs. He loved to tell about his time working on the docks of the great seaport of Hamburg. Through friends he met and eventually married Sigrun Sievers in 1960. Daughter Petra was born while they lived in Hamburg. In 1964 they moved to the USA and made Brookline their home. Daughter Annett was born in 1965 and daughter Marlies in 1968.
Loring was employed at Hitchiner Manufacturing in Milford, NH working primarily second shift for 34 years, Retiring in 1998. In addition to his regular duties, he acted as the shift first aid responder. For several years he also drove the local school bus and was a substitute mail carrier in Brookline.
He was an original and longtime volunteer EMT with the Brookline Ambulance Service.
There wasn’t much that Loring could not repair. Radios, televisions and stereos were his favorite things to tinker on but keeping the family station wagon in good repair often took priority.
In later years he was deeply involved with the Brookline Historical Society and several of their projects, as he loved sharing his extensive knowledge of Brookline’s history. Loring loved music and reading. His collection of books and music was vast and quite diverse. For many years he would faithfully attend the student music programs at Keene State College. He was such a devoted fan that he was given a lifetime free attendance certificate, which he cherished.
For many years Loring was a dedicated patron of Chrysanthi’s Restaurant in Brookline and could be found there most days enjoying the good food and good company. He was affectionately known as Mr. Q to Chrysanthi’s restaurant family and customers.
He was predeceased by his brother Richard who died in infancy, his sisters, Faith Austin and her husband Joe, Pearline Burgess, Marilyn Quimby, and nephew David Putnam.
Surviving family members include his three daughters, Petra Longman and spouse Gary of Peterborough, NH, Annett Quimby of Brookline, NH and Marlies Holmes of Peterborough, NH, former wife Sigrun (Sisi) Johanson, four grandchildren; Christina Longman, Kyla Longman, Nathan Holmes, Lilly Holmes. Nephews; Danny Austin and spouse Kerry, Warren Austin and spouse Laura. Niece; Donna Tamulonis and spouse Joe, grandnieces and nephews
The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Alpine Healthcare Center in Keene, NH for their kindness and dedicated care of Loring.
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 14th at 2:00pm in the Brookline Event Center, 32 Proctor Hill Road, Brookline, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Brookline NH Historical Society, PO Box 595, Brookline, NH 03033. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com