Donald C. Loos

Cincinnati - Donald Cyril Loos passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024. He was 84. Don was the beloved husband of his late wife Gail, and the devoted father of Laura, Matt and Kathleen.

He was born in Cincinnati to Cyril "Bud" and Lillian (Meirose) Loos. He was raised in Deer Park and attended St. John School. Don began his long association with Purcell High School as a member of the Class of 1958.

A devout Roman Catholic throughout his life, Don felt a call to religious service and became a Marianist Brother. He then attended the University of Dayton, graduating in 1962. In his early career, he taught high school English at schools in Pittsburgh and Dayton.

Preparing to take his perpetual vows, Don studied for a year at a Marianist seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland. After that first year as a seminarian, however, Don requested to be released from his vows. Soon after, he met Gail (herself a former nun) at a gathering of ex-brothers and sisters. Wasting no time, Don soon proposed and they were married in 1968.

Don and Gail raised their children in Price Hill and Delhi Township, and for thirty years they were parishioners at St. Dominic, where he was a lector, servitor and chairman of the parish council. For most of his adult life he attended Mass every morning.

He had a 44-year career as an educator and administrator at Purcell Marian High School, primarily as a guidance counselor, but also Dean of Students, Associate Principal and Chairman of the English Department. The school honored Don in 1988 as one of Purcell's outstanding graduates.

Don loved tending to his yard, flowers, and garden. He was adept at home improvement and woodworking; he used these skills to make his homes more beautiful and functional. He was an enthusiastic reader of history and literature. Don enjoyed listening to classical music, and for many years he volunteered as an usher for Cincinnati Symphony concerts at Music Hall.

Not long after Don retired from Purcell, his close friend Fr. Gene Contadino was appointed pastor at St. Francis de Sales Church. Don became his right hand, supervising many overdue renovations and raising the level of maintenance to a high standard befitting the historic landmark building.

Above all, Don was a devoted father and husband. Raising three kids on a guidance counselor's salary meant they had to be thrifty, with little room for extras. With some creativity and even more love, they made it work, and in doing so they were able to provide their children with the opportunities and values to excel in adulthood. Later in life, he enjoyed many years as "Papa" to his five grandchildren.

Don is survived by his children, Laura Ann Sharp of Anderson Township, Matthew Donald Loos (Chris Anderson) of Cincinnati, and Kathleen Marie (Nicholas) DiNicola of Akron; grandchildren Colin DiNicola and Andrew, Alaina, Evan and Patrick Sharp; sister Carol Kahut, brother-in-law Michael (Ellie) Kenny and sister-in-law Barbara Kennedy; and nine nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.

He was preceded in death by Mary Gail Loos, his cherished wife of 55 years; his parents Lillian & Bud Loos; brothers-in-law Edward Kenny, Thomas Kenny and Peter Kahut; nephew Stephen Kahut and niece Lynn Foster.

Knowing Don inspired you to be a better person. May he rest in peace.

The family will be receiving visitors at St. Francis de Sales Church, 1600 Madison Road, on Saturday, September 28 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to either Purcell Marian High School or the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.