Peter James McLaughlin, age 87, of Chestnut Hill passed away peacefully at his home on December 25, 2025. Peter was born in Boston in 1938. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Groden McLaughlin, who died soon after his birth, and his father, James Henry McLaughlin, who passed away when Peter was just 11 years old. Peter was raised by his mother’s extended Groden family in a lively home on Garfield Street in Cambridge. He was the eldest of his generation—the first among 40 cousins.
Peter spent summers at the Groden family home in Green Harbor, affectionately known as “Greenie.” It was there, at the age of 12, that Peter met the love of his life, Honey. Peter and Honey were married for 64 years. They raised their five children in Milton and later moved to Chestnut Hill, the perfect location, close to his beloved Boston College and Longwood Cricket Club. Later in life they were blessed to be able to travel the world, enjoying many trips with family and close friends.
Peter attended St. Sebastian’s School, where he excelled academically and athletically, playing football, hockey, and baseball. His hockey talents earned him recruitment by the legendary Snooks Kelley to play at Boston College, following in the footsteps of his four Groden uncles who had also skated at the Heights. Baseball, however, was his first love. Under coach Eddie Pellegrini, Peter thrived and proudly captained the team during his senior year.
After graduating from Boston College, Peter earned a Master’s degree in Accounting from Northeastern University and later an MBA from Bentley University. He enjoyed a successful business career spanning more than four decades before landing what he called his “dream job”—working in development for Boston College. That role eventually led him to leadership at St. Columbkille School, where he was Chairman of the Board for eight years. Throughout his life, Peter prioritized education for himself and his family. He wrapped his arms around St Columbkille School. It was the most meaningful experience of his long working career. His dedication to the school reflected his core values of hard work, creating community, service to others, and family.
Peter’s love of sports extended well beyond his own playing days. He took up tennis and skiing, passions that he shared with his children and grandchildren. The time shared with family on the tennis courts, ski slopes and at sporting events cultivated cross generational bonds.
Peter’s devotion to St. Sebastian’s School and Boston College grew stronger over the years, particularly as three of his children and seven of his grandchildren attended Boston College and four of his grandsons followed in his footsteps at St. Sebastian’s. He served on the St. Sebastian’s School Board of Directors and was a loyal and passionate Boston College hockey and football fan.
Peter’s greatest love was his family. Peter and Honey were ever-present on the sidelines of football, lacrosse, basketball, and field hockey games, and regulars in cold hockey rinks. Peter offered unwavering support, pride, and encouragement.
Peter will be remembered for his devotion to family, his leadership, his love of sports, and his lifelong commitment to the institutions and people he cherished. His legacy lives on in the generations he nurtured, the communities he strengthened, and the countless lives he touched.
In addition to his wife Honey, Peter is survived by his five children, Jim McLaughlin and his wife Ann of Chestnut Hill, Peter McLaughlin and his late wife Maria of Brookline, Steve McLaughlin of Boston, Kate Blake and her husband Kevin of Needham, and Andrew McLaughlin and his wife Larissa of Aspen, Colorado.
Peter is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren who adored him: Jake, Ellie and Caroline McLaughlin, Andrew, Sam, Luke and Merritt McLaughlin, Max and Nico McLaughlin, Meghan, Peter and Sarah Blake and Liam McLaughlin.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St, (Rt.16) Wellesley on Friday, January 9 from 3:00-7:00pm. The funeral Mass will be Saturday, January 10 at 11:30am at St. Ignatius Church, 28 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Peter’s memory to:
The Peter McLaughlin Endowment Fund for Financial Aid at Saint Columbkille School
Saint Columbkille Partnership School, 25 Arlington St, Boston, MA 02135
Gifts can be made online to: https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=stcolumbkill&id=39