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Lothrop "Lofte" Withington Jr. Final Flight on August 01, 2013
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Lothrop "Lofte" Withington Jr. February 16, 1917 - August 01, 2013
Lothrop Withington Jr., 96, of Plymouth Born at home in Brookline February 16, 1917 Died August 1, 2013 in Plymouth after a brief illness.
Educated at Punahou School in Honolulu, Andover Academy, Belmont Hill School, and others before entering Harvard class of 1942. Like many at the time, he left college to join the army but not before going to MIT's aeronautical school for pilot training. He was a pilot and flight instructor in the Army Air Corps before imploring Igor Sikorsky, the Russian aeronautic engineer who founded Sikorsky Manufacturing, to take him on to test helicopters. He was a pioneer in the field and was the first man to fly a helicopter from both seats and to make a lift with a copter amongst other feats. He and the five other helicopter pioneers met for over 60 years for reunions. He worked at HK Porter, Inc. in Boston after the war and then owned and operated Pilgrim Petroleum, Inc. in Plymouth for many years. He then served as an assessor for the Town of Plymouth before retiring. However, he is most famous for swallowing a goldfish while running for class president at Harvard in 1939. This started a nationwide fad. His is in numerous books and magazines for this activity. He appeared on "To Tell the Truth", "What's My Line" and "I've Got a Secret" television games shows as the guest celebrity.
He is the oldest of nine children and was predeceased by his brothers Sherman (Whip) and Dennett and his sister Marietta (Lalla) Brewster. He was still driving around town and using an exercise bike before falling ill at the end of July. He was married to Lois Brewster for over 30 years and is the father of the late Lothrop (Cricket) Withington III, Ellen Withington of Punta Gorda, FL, Lydia Withington Holmes and Ellis Brewster Withington both of Plymouth. He later married Dorothy Shedd (previously Millican) and they lived in Plymouth until moving to Plymouth Crossings, where she continues to live. He has eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He also leaves his brothers Nathan, Paul, and Richard all of Plymouth and Sisters Lee Atkins of Brunswick ME and Ann (Pandy) Brewster of Plymouth and many, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A service will be held at Plymouth Yacht Club on Friday August 9th at 10:00 am. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Parish Church Restoration Fund, 19 Town Sq..Plymouth, Ma. 02360.
More info and online guestbook please visit www.cartmellfuneralhome.com - See more at: http://www.cartmellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Lothrop-Lofie-Withington/Plymouth-MA/1231190#sthash.qyZ3bBYt.dpuf | |||||
GUEST BOOK 08/05/2013 Thomas Patrick Regan / Family WE very sorry for your loss my prayers for his family. ~ Thomas Patrick Regan 08/04/2013 Mathew Hurwitz I will miss my special friend Lofie. He was an inspiration to me. Lofie was interested in everything. He was naturally curious, the sign of a very intelligent man. My thoughts are with his family who he loved dearly. He was one of a kind. ~ Mat Hurwitz 08/05/2013 Ellis Withington Thanks Mat, he really liked you and forwarded all your emails.. ~ Ellis
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"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE" ~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~ "HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY ~NEVER FORGOTTEN~ |
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