MILLINOCKET – Harold J. McLaughlin, 77, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, surrounded by his loving family at a Boston hospital. Harold was born June 8, 1929, to Henry and Elizabeth McLaughlin. He grew up on a potato farm in Littleton with six sisters and two brothers. Harold relished and cherished those childhood years as he would often fondly recall days of work and play with his brothers and sisters. He learned a strong sense of family values, work ethic and love of God from his parents and passed these traits on to his children with tireless devotion. Harold graduated from Ricker High School, Houlton. He worked at all facets of farm jobs while growing up and also would perform other jobs that included setting up bowling pins for 25 cents a day at the Houlton Elks Club. With a touch of “the luck of the Irish,” Harold met his wife, Therese Cummings, of Benedicta at a St. Patrick’s Day Dance at Fitz’s Dance & Dine in Houlton in 1950. They married June 29, 1953, and shared a life’s journey for 54 years that produced unbreakable bonds of love and respect. Their life together centered around the pride and joy they shared for their four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Harold began work as a papermaker in 1954 for Great Northern Paper Co. in Millinocket. He started out at the lowest position in the paperroom, fifth hand, but then worked his way to fourth hand, third hand, back-tender and machine-tender while working on all 10 paper machines. His papermaking career culminated with his promotion to tour foreman and his work on the No. 11 paper machine with 12 years as a foreman. He retired in 1986, but stayed very active with painting and carpentry jobs in town as well as numerous projects at his children’s homes. In Millinocket, Harold treasured the times spent with many dear friends, especially Loren and Evelyn Brown, with whom they traveled together to Florida, Washington, D.C., Great Lakes, Ill., Montreal and 35 pilgrimages to the Shrine of St. Anne De Beaupre, Quebec. Harold is survived by his wife, Therese of Millinocket; and children; Don and Rebecca McLaughlin of Bucksport, John and Glynn McLaughlin of Millinocket, Joe and Kathy McLaughlin of Brewer and Francie Butler of Brewer. He is also survived by grandchildren, Dave and Amber McLaughlin, Will McLaughlin, Kevin and Erin McLaughin, Ryan, Matthew and Therese “Tess” McLaughlin and Daniel and Katie Butler. Harold’s grandchildren possessed a special place in his heart and his eyes often sparkled as he happily and diligently followed all their sporting and other school events. He celebrated countless birthdays with them and was nearby for all of their births, including those of Daniel and Katie in the Netherlands. Harold is also survived by great-grandchildren, Emma and Brooke McLaughlin, who brought added joy and a perpetual smile to his life. Harold is also survived by loving and caring sisters, Mary McGillicuddy of Hodgdon, Joyce and John Saunders of Enfield, Conn., and Patricia and William Koepp of San Diego. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom brought more pride and happiness into Harold’s life. They include his namesake and godson, Joseph Harold Fitzpatrick, and godchildren, Mary-Lou Franck, Marianne Pulkkinen and Kevin Cummings. Additionally, Harold is survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jeanne and Arthur Dentremont, Christine and Wendall McNally and Christine Cummings. Harold was predeceased by sisters, Joan Fitzpatrick, Helen McQuarrie and Rita Boyd; brothers, Tommy and Charlie McLaughlin; and brothers-in-law, Don McGillicuddy and Joe Cummings. Friends are invited to visit with the family 9-11 a.m. Friday, at the Bouchard-Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated noon Friday at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 112 Maine Ave., Millinocket, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, presider. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon in the parish center afterwards. Gifts in memory of Harold may be sent to the Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462 or to the Special Olympics of Maine, Penobscot Chapter, attention Carol Ryan, P.O. Box 215, Holden, ME 04429. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.lamsonfh.com
HAROLD J. ‘PAPA’ MCLAUGHLIN
