George Gardner “Gid” Loring passed away August 26 at Brooksby Village in Peabody. Born in Newton, he was the son of the late Caleb and Suzanne (Bailey) Loring and beloved husband of Sarah M. Loring. Gid grew up in Chestnut Hill and Prides Crossing and attended the Dexter School, Milton Academy, Cornell University Summer School, Harvard College and Harvard Business School.
In 1949, Gid married the love of his life, Sarah Yarnall Means of Manchester. Together with “Sally”, they raised four children, George Jr., Helen, Laura and Susan in Manchester. In 2009, Gid and his wife Sally moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody where he lived for the last 14 years of his life.
Gid worked in the financial industry for the Boston Fund, New England Mutual Fund, Boston Management & Research, and Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge.
An avid conservationist, Gid co-founded the Manchester Conservation Trust, served as a former vice-president of Essex County Greenbelt Association, supported Vinalhaven Land Trust, New England Forestry Foundation and Nature Conservancy. From a young age, Gid was a passionate bird watcher and supported the Massachusetts Audubon Society. In retirement, Gid traveled extensively with Sally, mostly on birding trips.
As a young boy, he spent summers on Bartlett Island in Maine. In 1968, he found a beautiful piece of property on Seal Bay in Vinalhaven, Maine where he and Sally spent their summers with visits from their children and grandchildren. He spent his days sailing, gardening, rowing, birding and playing his cornet when opportunity arose.
An avid jazz musician and collector, Gid played the cornet with numerous bands, especially after retiring. Although he never considered himself a professional musician, he kept busy playing professional, semi-professional gigs and casual jam sessions in the Greater Boston area. For decades he organized gigs under the name of “Gid’s Giddy Gang” playing for life celebrations, dances and fundraisers. He sat in at the Colonial Inn in Concord, MA with long time banjo playing friend Jimmy Mazzy; and played with the Old Salty Jazz Band in Gloucester; and the Brooksby Irregulars in Peabody.
Gid is predeceased by his sister, Susan G. Loring and brothers, Caleb Loring Jr., David Loring and Joseph Peabody Loring as well as his son, George G. Loring, Jr.
Gid is survived by three of their four children and spouses; Susan Loring Wells, Shutesbury, MA; Laura H. Loring, Missoula, MT; and Helen C. Loring, Medford, MA and five grandchildren: Sarah, Julia, Hannah, Kayla, and Alex.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Brooksby Village and Care Dimensions for their care of Gid. He will be truly missed by all. In his memory please send a contribution to a conservation organization of your choice.
A memorial service will be held in the summer of 2024.
