James Charles Loughran

February 3, 1928 – June 10, 2026

James “Séamus” Charles Loughran, age 98, of Portland, Oregon, passed peacefully from this life in the early hours of June 10, 2026. He lived a remarkable life and greeted each day with his favorite saying: “It is a great day to be alive.” Even in his final days, he was surrounded by family, music, laughter, and song—and never missed the opportunity to share one of his favorite jokes.

Séamus was born on February 3, 1928, in Limerick, Ireland, to James and Mary Troy Loughran. He was the third of twelve children in a close-knit family of three girls and nine boys. His parents were industrious and resourceful, providing for their large family through challenging times and instilling in their children a deep appreciation for faith, hard work, and perseverance.

As a boy, Séamus worked alongside his father and brothers in the family bicycle shop, Siopa Rothar. During World War II, the Loughran boys helped manufacture leather tires and washers, providing neighbors with materials that were difficult to obtain. From an early age, Séamus loved working with his hands. He had a remarkable ability to take apart nearly any engine and rebuild it again—a gift that led him to employment at Nestor’s, where he became a skilled motorcycle mechanic and eventually opened his own shop. His love of motorcycles and mechanical work remained with him throughout his life.

Séamus also discovered another passion: boxing. Known throughout Limerick as “The Atom,” he earned the title of Limerick Welterweight Boxing Champion. Though not a tall man, he was known for his strength, determination, and spirited resolve.

Séamus’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life. As a young man, he sang in the choir at St. John’s Cathedral in Limerick, where he met the love of his life, Mary Fidelma Kennedy (“Delma”). Together they attended daily Mass for three years before marrying on September 30, 1957, at St. John’s Cathedral.

Economic hardship in Ireland led the young couple to seek opportunity in America. In 1960, with their firstborn daughter, Siobhán, they immigrated to Oregon. Homesickness and limited work opportunities eventually brought them back to Ireland after the birth of their second daughter, Una. Yet Oregon continued to call them, and in 1965 they returned permanently, reuniting with Delma’s sister, Theresa, and her husband, Michael O’Callaghan.

The support of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and the faith community of St. Cecilia Parish helped them establish deep roots in their adopted home. Séamus secured a position at Tektronix after boldly offering to volunteer for a month to prove his worth. His confidence, talent, and tireless work ethic earned him a permanent position, and he eventually rose to management—a remarkable achievement for a man whose formal education ended after the eighth grade.

Séamus and Delma built a beautiful life together centered on faith, family, hard work, and service. They shared 62 years of marriage until Delma’s passing in 2019. In the years that followed, Séamus endured the heartbreaking loss of his daughters, Siobhán Taylor in 2021 and Una Loughran in 2022. Through profound grief, his enduring faith and the love of family sustained him. His sons—Fergus, Sean, and Dermot—remained steadfast sources of support, and Séamus continued to meet each day with kindness, humor, gratitude, and grace.

He is survived by his sons, Fergus Loughran and his wife Tammy of Astoria, Oregon; Sean Loughran and his wife Kristen Stallman Loughran of Portland, Oregon; and Dermot Loughran and his wife Janene of Canandaigua, New York; and by his son-in-law, David Taylor of St. Helens, Oregon.

He was a proud and devoted grandfather to James (Chelsea) Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Maggie (Brian) Igel, Liam (Abril Romero) Loughran, Rory (Brooklyn) Loughran, Maeve and Caitlin Loughran, Aidan (Julia) Loughran, Linnea (Jeswin) Gloria, and Brendan, Aileen, Callista, and Séamus Loughran.

His great-grandchildren include Abri and Kieran Loughran; Áine and Thyra Taylor; Annie, Stella, and Tessie Igel; Eleanor and Declan Loughran; and Agnes Gloria.

Séamus also leaves behind numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends throughout Oregon, Alaska, Ireland, and beyond.

A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 5105 SW Franklin Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to join in a reception immediately following the Mass in St. Cecilia Parish Hall.

The Rite of Committal and Burial will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 333 SW Skyline Boulevard, Portland, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, whose friendship, faith, and support meant so much to James (“Séamus”) and Mary (“Delma”) throughout their lives.