Edward M. McLaughlin, 72, of Danvers, died peacefully in his home after a courageous battle with cancer on Monday, August 23, 2010, with his beloved wife and daughters by his side.
Born in Peabody on April 8, 1938, he was the son of the late Edward and Ann (Sonsava) McLaughlin. He excelled in sports and was captain of the Peabody High School Varsity Hockey Team where he graduated in 1956. He also played baseball for the St. Michael’s.
Edward worked at General Electric in Lynn and Ametek in Wilmington in Production Control, and Purchasing. His true calling, however, was to serve the IUE-Local 201 union. He was a Union Steward for many years and served on the Executive Board. He worked tirelessly to represent the rights of his co-workers. He was recognized for his many accomplishments with several awards and also wrote a monthly column for the IUE newsletter.
He also volunteered much of his time coaching in the Danvers National Little League. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and love of sports with the younger generation. He was a member of the Salem Willows Yacht Club and the Newfoundland Club of New England. Most especially, he was a loving family man and an adoring grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carole (Mari) McLaughlin, his daughters, Donna Streeter and her husband Jim of Groveland, Kelly Devarenne and her husband John of Georgetown, his grandchildren, Erika and Justin Streeter and Kyle Devarenne, his brother Thomas and his wife Carol, his aunt Bernice Sonsava, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves his much-loved Newfoundland companion, Kayla.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 9AM in St. Richard Church. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-8PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400, Waltham, MA, 02451, Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970, or the charity of your choice.