David Lawrence Loring

September 11, 1938 ~ January 08, 2021

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David Lawrence Loring, age 82, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away on Friday January 8, 2021. After a five-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis, he is now at peace, sailing the high seas in heaven.

David was born in Easton, Pennsylvania to the late Harold and Thelma (Oxner) Loring on September 11, 1938. The youngest of three (3) brothers, David grew up in Chester Basin, Nova Scotia, where his love of sailing began. He graduated from Horton Academy of Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 1957, and later went on to study Photogrammetry at the Nova Scotia Land Survey Institute in Lawrencetown. From 1959 to 1963, David proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, achieving the rank of Petty Officer, 2^nd Class in three years instead of the customary four.

David worked for Abrams Aerial Survey Corporation in Lansing, Michigan from 1965 to 1997. On April 14, 1984, he married his “First Mate” Carol June Nobach, in Grand Ledge, MI, where they made their home with Carol’s two daughters, who greatly admired and looked up to David. Whether by land or by sea, traveling was always an exciting adventure for David. He was an avid cruising and racing sailor. He enjoyed taking his family on many sailing trips on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and on other vacations to interesting and educational destinations. Over the years, David participated in many sailing races on the Great Lakes and Lake Charlevoix in Michigan. He also earned a Captain’s license, which enabled him to captain steam, motor, or auxiliary sail vessels up to 50 gross tons on the Great Lakes or inland waterways in Michigan. In 1994, David was able to fulfill his longtime dream of sailing from Michigan to Nova Scotia, and he later sailed from Michigan to the Bahamas in 2002. He loved sailing the Bahamas over eight winters. David was an avid downhill skier, taking on mountains in Michigan, California, Quebec, and Switzerland. During his life, he spent time in 23 U.S. states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 14 foreign countries. David’s love of cats brought his family several felines over the years. Later in life, when David and his wife moved to Vero Beach, he volunteered his time at Pet Smart, caring for cats awaiting adoption. He always enjoyed meeting friends for morning coffee and being a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, especially his conversations with Dr. K.

David was a very kind-hearted, social person who would always go out of his way to help someone in need. Meeting new people and spending time with friends were among the things he treasured most in life. He was blessed with a great sense of humor, which he enjoyed sharing with those around him. David will be GREATLY missed by his family and friends. He will always remain in our hearts as a wonderful, kind, and loving person, who was a dedicated patriot of America.

David is survived by his wife, Carol; stepdaughters, Kiersten (Kevin) Stark and Lauren Nobach (Ty Hekim); his brother Douglas Loring; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and his beloved cats Patches and Tinker. David was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, Robert.

Charitable contributions in David’s memory may be made to the Help Heal Veterans organization at www.healvets.org or to Dogs and Cats Forever Animal Sanctuary at www.dogsandcatsforever.com.

Online condolences may be left at www.millenniumcremationservice.com

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Condolence

Ellen Mclaughlin

January 13, 2021, 12:23 am

Carol, Kierstan and Lauren

I was so sad to hear the news of Dave’s passing the other day. I was happy that I got the chance to see you both at Ann’s house a couple years ago. It’s been a horrible year, we’ve lost too many family and so quick and the Covid doesn’t help either. Looking forward to seeing you when you are able to get up here.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Ellen (Redden) Mclaughlin

Eileen Oxner

January 13, 2021, 7:49 pm

Carol, Kierstan and Lauren
I am so sorry to hear of David’s passing. We were always so glad to see you when you came home to Chester Basin and area. It is hard losing a husband and father as my family and are are still missing Brian . I look forward to seeing you here when you are able to come. Presently , I am praying for you as you experience David’s loss.
Eileen Oxner, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Eileen Oxner

January 13, 2021, 8:08 pm

Carol, Kierstan and Lauren
I was so sorry to learn of David’s passing. We were always so glad to see you when you came to Chester Basin and area. It is so hard to lose a husband and father as we are still going through this with the recent passing of Brian. I will look forward to seeing you when you are able to come. Presently,I will be praying for you and your family as you experience his loss.
Eileen Oxner

Scott and Donna Nicholls

January 14, 2021, 11:28 pm

We were so fortunate to get to know Dave and Carol during our cruising years in Florida and the Bahamas, in Charlevoix during summer visits, and on land in Florida. So many lovely memories….too many to list. One of our favorites was Dave standing next to Skipper the cat so he could eat in safety and security. From our times exploring Nassau (opaa!!) to the Sand Dollar Yacht Club, we will cherish those memories forever. We will miss you, Dave. A life well-lived!

Woody

January 15, 2021, 12:50 am

Captain Dave Loring even with his many faults(of which I can’t even think of one) was a guy anyone had to be extremely lucky to have known and be a friend of. In thinking about Dave you have to use a few very special words like honestly, loyalty, integrity, caring, intelligent, inquiring, adventurous and on and on and on. Dave was also gentle where one could say he wouldn’t even harm a fly but I did seem him harm a few while in the north channel, sad to say. Dave was a kind of Pearson that comes along rarely that with the exception of a few politicians never had an ill word to say about anyone. He was happy with his places in life, very lucky to meet his partner in life right out of the gate, Carol, and have an abundance of good people who loved and respected him. I for one was one of the very very lucky ones who could call Dave a friend. He added quality to my life and I will never forget him. Sail on good buddy sail on. Woody

Robin Whitford

January 15, 2021, 1:12 am

Dear Carol, Kiersten, and Lauren,
I am so sad to hear of Dave’s passing. Although his visits to Sutton were often brief, I clearly remember the excitement his visits would create in the little house on Highland for my mom and grandmother. Thinking of you and sending hugs, Robin

Joyce Davenport

January 15, 2021, 4:59 am

Dear Carol,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I remember fondly our time together on your beautiful boat.
I enjoyed serving on the Hearth
and Hill board with Dave. I know this is hard for you and your family. If there is anything I can do please ask.
Love, Joyce Davenport

Harold Devore

January 15, 2021, 3:55 pm

Thanks for sharing details of Dave’s good life. Interesting how we were born about the same time, shared a very similar Navy experience and became consecutive presidents of Jug and Mug. Have enjoyed the numerous parties, including the generous hospitality of Dave and Carol. We will miss Dave. Harold and Linda Devore

Julie Kenifeck

January 15, 2021, 5:53 pm

I met Dave in the early 70’s at a Jug and Mug Ski Club meeting. He invited everyone to his house for a party afterwards. It was safe to do things like that back then. He had just knocked out his kitchen wall. He could build or fix most anything. His cat “Peanut” acted as his hostess for the event. Judy Kloko and I stayed to cleanup afterwards and we all became good friends. Dave had many female friends that didn’t become serious UNTIL…..

Dave had built a sailboat named Oasis. Among the many club outings there was to be a weekend sailing event for which Dave had volunteered his boat and captain experience. A new club member had signed up to participate. Dave had confessed to Denny and me that “she is the ONE for me”. Dave worked with the other boat captains to manipulate the passenger list to ensure that Carol would be on his boat. The ploy worked and that was the beginning of their cruise through life together. Cruise on

Donna M Nelson

January 16, 2021, 5:06 pm

Dear Carol and girls,

It was a pleasure to have known Dave. We have many interesting memories, Dave’s ever present pocket sized rum, his smile and snicker if it was a thought he could share or not, to using Ron’s cane to stir Bahama Mama’s at our marina. We pray for comfort for you, Carol, and your girls as you grieve your loss! Keep the fun memories in the forefront to comfort you!

Mike & Sandy Smith

January 29, 2021, 11:48 pm

Dear Carol and girls,
Sandy and I feel the loss of our very good friend.I guess we don’t know of anyone who knew Dave that felt
he was anything but a very good friend! He will be missed by all of us.

Robert McKennan

April 28, 2021, 2:08 pm

So story to hear of Dave’s passing. He truly was a warm and beautiful soul. His caring personality helped me and my family over the years. May he rest in peace