Wayne Loris, who served both in the East Hampton Town Police Department and the United States Navy, died at home on Marley Lane in East Hampton on Sept. 21. Mr. Loris, who was 74, died in his sleep.
The son of Sgt. Joseph Loris of the Police Department and the former Irene Stannard, who worked as a secretary at East Hampton Town Hall, Wayne Loris was born in Southampton on July 25, 1952. He grew up in East Hampton, and spent his youth immersed in the culture of the town he loved, said his daughter, Jennifer Mack of Readington, N.J. He could often be found somewhere along the beach, enjoying life and partying with friends.
After high school, Mr. Loris followed in his father’s footsteps, working for the Police Department before enlisting in the Navy. In his first two years he received specialized training in nuclear power, after which he was chosen to serve as a nuclear electrician aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz aircraft carrier. He was aboard for her maiden voyage in 1976, and served on the Nimitz for four years. Mr. Loris was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal.
Following his honorable discharge, he went to work for the Long Island Lighting Company at the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant. LILCO was acquired by the Long Island Power Authority in 1998, and Mr. Loris continued with LIPA until his retirement in 2012.
A fisherman and clammer, he was also a baseball and football fan, his daughter said. He enjoyed searching for eclectic gifts to send in enormous “treasure packages” to his three grandchildren, Andrew, Angelina, and A.J., all of Readington. No visit with their grandfather was complete without a walk around Napeague, where he would teach them about the local nature and wildlife and collect treasures with them in the sand.
Mr. Loris’s marriage ended in divorce. In addition to his daughter and her mother, Deborah Loris of New Jersey, her husband, Patrick Mack of Readington, and his grandchildren, he is survived by a sister, Paulette Loris of North Carolina, and many friends and neighbors.
A service was held on Oct. 1 at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. Mr. Loris’s family has suggested memorial contributions to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons at arfhamptons.org, or P.O. Box 2616, East Hampton 11937.
