Anthony Paul Patrick Loftus passed away peacefully on February 25, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Born in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland on July 1, 1944, Paul was the youngest of seven children and grew up with an abiding faith and a deep love of family and community. His parents, Mary and Thomas, instilled in him the importance of loving your neighbour as yourself.

Paul was an avid sportsman, and played rugby, hurling and Gaelic football throughout his adolescence and adult life. His love of sports was cultivated by his dad who always brought him to watch live games.

With an adventurous spirit and strong work ethic, Paul began his working life in Ireland before moving to the UK and then to Canada.  Paul settled quickly in Montreal, becoming heavily involved in the city’s expat rugby, hurling and Gaelic football clubs, and his enthusiastic participation in the Montreal Irish communities did not stop at sports. He was a founding member of the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated, hard-working member of numerous other Irish organizations, often serving on their executive committees.

Paul’s professional calling was to help people find their purpose at work. With a background in psychology and commerce, he found his passion in industrial psychology. After a number of years at the Bank of Montreal, he started his own consulting practice in international management, intercultural and organizational development. His consulting work took him all over North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, and it was through his travels that he met his beautiful wife, Avy Loftus, at a conference in Singapore.

While Paul’s community involvement and his profession gave him joy, being a father was his favorite role. He cherished the time he spent with his daughter, Mary Lynne, and loved the family trips back to Ballina every summer.

Paul’s family would like to thank the healthcare professionals at the Montreal General Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Glen Site’s Supportive and Palliative Care team for the care they provided to Paul in his final weeks.

May Paul rest in peace, and may his kindness and love for his community continue to live on in his family and friends.

Visitation at the Kane Fetterly Funeral Home, 5301 Decarie (corner Isabella) on Wednesday, March 6 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Funeral Mass at the St. Patrick's Basilica, 460 René-Lévesque West on Thursday, March 7 at 2pm.