Worcester - James Thomas McLaughlin, Jr., 87, passed away Sunday, January 25, 2015, at the Golden Living Center. The love of his life and wife of 62 years, Joan Rita (Morgan) McLaughlin, passed away in July. He leaves three sons, James McLaughlin and his wife Roseanne, William McLaughlin and his wife Sandra, and Thomas McLaughlin and his wife Dawn; one daughter, Joan Foley and Kevin Sweeney; nine grandchildren, James J. McLaughlin and his wife Ariel, Tiffany Caissie and her husband Kevin, Courtney McDaniel and her husband Delbert, Erin Wix and her husband Jason, John-Mark McLaughlin and Dee Perrill, Kandace Doyle and her husband Kevin, Corey McLaughlin, Morgan Foley, and Gray Foley; 15 great-grandchildren, Jameson, Julia, Faith, Alexis, twins Alexander and Maddox, Krissy, Dakota, Britney, Shelby, Colton, Brayton, McKenna, Kyler, and Savannah as well as several nieces and nephews. Three sisters, Mary Nosek, Rose Mayou, and Marion Hanley predeceased him.
Jim was born in Clinton, son of Bernice (Robinson) and James McLaughlin. He was a graduate of Clinton High School. Jim was a Teamster, retiring from Consolidated Freightways in 1993. He was a member of St. Joan of Arc Church. He was a Navy veteran and served aboard the USS Wisconsin. Jim was a quarterback on his high school football team, leading the undefeated Gaels to the 1945 State Championships. He played semi-pro baseball for the Chicago Cubs, enjoyed refereeing football, and coaching all types of sports.
A special thanks to all who took care of our parents, especially, Jeannie Wilson, Emma Nelson, Christian Agayre, Mary Ellen Fahey, and Annie Young.
Funeral services will be at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Thursday, Jan. 29. Calling hours will be held from 10-11am. The funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 11am. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ascera Care Hospice, 27 Midstate Dr., Suite 104, Auburn MA 01501.
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