45°
McLaughlin was born Dec. 30, 1930, in Holyoke, Mass., to James Francis and Erma Kusnick McLaughlin. He attended the local Holyoke schools, graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1948. He was a life member of the Holyoke Lodge of Elks #902. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, in the Korean War, as a corporal at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he served as a military police officer. He was a member of the American Legion and participated in the Marine Toys for Tots Program for 10 years.
McLaughlin was employed by American Machine & Foundry Company from 1955 to 1966 on the Titan and Atlas in ground missile systems at Vandenburgh & Lowry Air Force Bases. He was then employed by Barnes Engineering Company from 1966 to 1993 where he held positions in inspection and quality control. He also was assigned to the Gemini Missile launch tracking system, working for Sperry Gyroscope Company and the instillation of the radar tracking systems aboard the USS Hap Arnold and USS Hoyt Vandenberg out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
McLaughlin was a sports official for over 30 years umpiring softball as well as a basketball and volleyball. He belonged to the Volleyball IABO Board 9 Umpires Association CVBO, basketball and the Stamford Softball Association. He worked for the Stamford Board of Recreation as a field supervisor in charge of Men’s Leagues basketball and softball at Divisions C/1 and C/2 for approximately 25 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Stamford Youth Basketball.
McLaughlin is survived by his wife, Hughette “Bonnie” Lefebvre McLaughlin; sons, Brian James McLaughlin (Linda) and Steven Patrick McLaughlin (Laurine); three granddaughters; one great grandson; two step-grandchildren; and sister; Jayne Neisner of Manlius, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents.
Calling hours are Thursday, May 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, with a service to be celebrated at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
For more information, please visit www.cognetta.com
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
