ELDEN H. MCLAUGHLIN

WINTERPORT and BUNNELL, Fla. – Elden Harriman McLaughlin “Bud,” 92, U.S. Navy, World War II, LST 57, D-Day invasion, Normandy, one of the greatest generation, took his final voyage home to be with his beloved Frances, Dec. 2, 2008, at a nursing home in Flagler Beach, Fla., with his son at his side, seven months and two days after her passing. He was born Oct. 17, 1916, in Stockton Springs, son of Archie C. and Eliza (Harriman) McLaughlin. He spent his childhood years living with his grandfather, Elden Harriman, for whom he was named, delivering mail. In his younger years, he owned his own maple syrup business. He was the second oldest of eight children. His father owned McLaughlin’s Bus Line. He joined the Navy during the war and shortly before he left, he married Frances Moran from Winterport. They met while he was on the mail route delivering mail, and she would wait for him every day so she could see him. They married in 1943 and he went off to war to serve his country. When he came home, he went to work for Ebbeson Machine Shop, Bangor and started a small mink farm in Winterport. In 1946, their son, Eric “Rick” was born, and in 1950, they adopted Brenda, me. It has been an honor and a privilege to have been raised by them, have their values and beliefs instilled in me, and to have been given their love. Bud never had a bad word to say about anyone, saw the good in every person and never met a stranger. Throughout the years, the mink farm expanded to a very large operation. The years on the mink farm were long and busy and hard. I remember each year the crew coming to work during breeding season and during the season when it was time to get the fur ready for shipping. It was a devoted crew who always returned – I think it had a lot to do with Mom’s cooking. Of all the helpers, the one who was most influenced by Bud, and who was so loyal to him, was a young man from Hampden, Forest “Toby” Hart. In many ways, Bud looked upon Toby as a second son and to this day, Toby had always kept in touch with Bud. Bud had a strong influence on every single soul he touched. I think that was the secret, he touched your soul. He was the kindest, sweetest, most forgiving, loyal person you could know, and if you knew him, you were blessed. Everyone called him “Bud,” even us kids; his grandson, Peter; and his great-granddaughters, Heather and Erin. He was not Dad, Grandpa, etc., he was “Bud.” He worked until his late 80s at Village Heritage Apartments, Winterport, as the maintenance man. When Mom started getting ill, he stayed home and cared for her. He loved his huge garden, his flowers – the biggest roses I every saw, and his ’64 Studebaker convertible that he restored from the ground up. In his final years in Maine, with Mom getting progressively worse with Alzheimer’s, one of his favorite things was to go to Dunkin’ Donuts, Main Street, Bangor and have coffee and a donut, and just watch the people and make some more friends. They didn’t miss many days doing this. As often as I could, I would meet them there and spend an hour or two with them, at least a couple of times a week. He was not just a member of the greatest generation, he was the greatest dad, grandfather and great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was one of a kind and our world will never be the same without him in it. He is survived by Rick, Jeanette, Peter, Holly, Heather and Erin McLaughlin, all of Florida, and Brenda and Steve Bowden of Holden. He is also survived by his only remaining sibling, his beloved brother, Jack and his wife, Kitty, of Stockton Springs; a sister-in-law, Merna McLaughlin of Searsport; cousins, Rose Otis of Prospect, Ernest McLaughlin Jr. of Searsport, Clayton McLaughlin of Jupiter, Fla., and Ellen Perry of Belfast; Frances’ siblings, Ralph and Margie Moran of Colorado Springs, Colo., Paul and Marjorie Moran of Valdosta, Ga., Josephine Moran of Medfield, Mass., Stanley and Virgina Moran of Medfied, Mass., and Norma Greenacre of Lawrenceville, Ga.; many nieces and nephews, especially Gary McLaughlin of Bangor, who since childhood, looked upon Bud as his hero and a real man’s man because of his service. He was predeceased by his sisters, Kathleen, Callie, Grace and Elizabeth; and brothers, John and Archie Jr. He marched in every parade until he was 88 years old, and walked the whole distance! We wish to thank all the people who touched our family with their love for Bud and Mom, and checked on them when they lived in Winterport, if there was a question of their safety. Thanks to Red and Rhea Crossman, Vaughn and Frances Thibodeau; Mom’s sister, Dodie “Josephine,” who would take care of her on Monday’s so Bud could go to the veteran’s center and spend time with “the boys;” and also their neighbors in the park in Florida, Dick and Alice Hale for their friendship and kindness to them. We will never forget you Bud. You were a hero to all of us. We are sure you and Mom are floating on that cloud together. They were married 65 years. She loved Christmas, we should have known she would not celebrate it alone. A dual memorial service will be held in the spring at a time to be announced. In Bud’s memory, donations may be made to Cole Land Transportation Museum, 359 Perry Road, Bangor, ME 04401.