Obituary of Loring J Peavey

After coloring the world with his wit and wisdom, Loring J Peavey, 74, of Liberty, Maine, passed away peacefully at 6 a.m. on December 29, 2020 at his home with his beloved wife by his side. Loring was born during a wicked bad snowstorm in Waterville, Maine to John and MayAnn Peavey on December 29, 1946. He spent most of his formative years in South Portland until his family moved to Springfield, Vermont in 1960. Peavey graduated in 1964 from Springfield High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball all four years. It was also the place he met the love of his life, Lucille “Tuffy” LeBlanc, after pretending he needed a tutor in Algebra. In 1968, Peavey joined the US Marine Corps, married Tuffy, and they had their first daughter, Sheryl. Peavey served in the USMC for four years, honorably ending his active duty as a Sergeant in North Carolina in 1972. The family returned to Vermont, had a second daughter, Sharyn, and saved up to build a house and family farm in the town Peavey loved as a child, Liberty. It is there where he raised his family and became a well-recognized fixture in the community--most often with a toothpick in the corner of his mouth! Peavey worked as a carpenter for a number of years, as well as a woodsman, blueberry hauler, and self-sufficient farmer. He spent 29 years as a bus driver for Walker School and Mt. View High School, where he also volunteered his time driving for the Special Olympics. He enjoyed working for his daughter, photographer Sharyn Peavey, editing images and attending conferences and workshops. Loring was an active member of the Liberty community, donating his expertise at Walker School in the classroom and greenhouse, the Town Community Hall, and as a member of the Planning Board for the Town of Liberty. Loring never missed an opportunity to learn, especially when Apple computers were brandey-new. Loring freely shared his experience and knowledge, whether it was about construction, creative design, or chicken poop. He loved humor as much as he did hearty “discussions”, qualities his family cherished most. But his legacy can be summed in the three words he spoke frequently to his daughters, nieces and nephews, and eventually, his grandchildren: DO YOURSELF PROUD. He did just that. Loring, known to most as just “Peavey” or “PV”, is survived by his beloved wife Tuffy Peavey of Liberty, and his daughters and their families: Sheryl and husband Matt of South China, grandsons Jakob Peavey and PFC Isaak Peavey (USMC) and step-granddaughter, Sarah Emmons; and Sharyn and granddaughter Lucia Peavey of Pownal and adopted grandson, Eddie White, of Cheyenne, WY. He is survived by his sister JoAnn Peavey of Liberty and brothers Clair Peavey (of Belmont), Greg Peavey (of Tarpan Springs, FL), and Glenn Peavey (of Washburn, WI). He is preceded in death by his grandson Dylan Peavey and his parents, John and MayAnn Peavey. At this time, the family will not be having a funeral service but plans to host a Celebration of Life later in the year when the pandemic has subsided. Please email sheryl.peavey@gmail.com for more information if you are interested. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Loring Peavey to: *The Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.org/donate/) *MaineHealth Care at Home & Hospice, 15 Industrial Park Rd, Saco, ME 04072 *The Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Service, PO Box 174, Liberty, ME 04949 * Liberty Library, PO Box 280, Liberty, ME 04949 Please also support your local farmers, as small Maine farms were near and dear to Loring’s heart. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all friends and family and the Liberty community for their love and support, especially Sandra Edgecomb. Loring will be missed greatly by us all.