LINCOLN – James Leo McLaughlin Sr., 91, husband of the late Ruth (Nicolai) McLaughlin, died March 11, 2010, at a Lincoln hospital. He was born March 4, 1919, in Weston, son of James and Henrietta (Gilpatrick) McLaughlin. Jim graduated valedictorian of Danforth High School, Class of 1936. He began his diverse career as a “cookie” at a woods camp at age 14. He graduated to woods cutter and after high school went to meat cutting school. He worked as a meat cutter until entering the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the 152nd Field Artillery and went through a series of divisions, ending with the 56th Field Artillery 8th Division Pathfinders as forward observer “Goldenrod B-4” with rank of first lieutenant. After his time in the Army, he returned to the states and worked at Schlitz Brewery, Milwaukee, and for Milwaukee Gas Co. He returned to Maine in 1956, where he was a door-to-door salesman of silk hosiery and vacuum cleaners. He finally found his niche as a plumber/pipe fitter for Local Union 321, now Local 716, and ended his career as the business agent/manager for the union. Jim served on the State of Maine Hourly Wage Board, Lincoln Planning Board and Democratic Committee, and as an election clerk. He was a fourth degree knight and a communicant of St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church, Lincoln. He was involved in the Cursillista, was a Eucharist minister and donated much of his time to church renovations. Jim was a forward thinker and always kept up with the times, which was evident as he enjoyed staying in contact with family and friends on Facebook. He also enjoyed coffee time at Timberhouse Restaurant with friends, including Karl McGillvray, Bob Burke, Ellery Dow, Gary Crocker and Bob McGaw. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and was an avid Red Sox fan. One of his favorite times was when his friends and family gathered last year to help him celebrate his 90th birthday. He will be remembered for his wit, storytelling abilities and his heart of gold. “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your Master.” He is survived by five daughters, Evelyn Leonard and Lawrence Bouchard of Enfield, Cynthia Sereyko and David of Bangor, Carol Raye and Gary, Lisa Goodwin and Brian, and Angela Stanley and Rusty, all of Lincoln; five sons, James McLaughlin II and Andrea of Greenland, N.H., Frank McLaughlin and Patimah of Oswego, N.Y., William McLaughlin and Stephanie of Portland, Thomas McLaughlin and Wanda, and Andrew McLaughlin and Kimberly, all of Lincoln; 20 grandchildren, Theresa, Catherine, James III, Amanda and Chris, Joshua, Jacob, Sarah, William, Jessica, Timothy, Keenan, Ellery, Conor, Jonathan, Allison, Brady, Brendan, Lucas, Geoffrey and Ian; three great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Nicole and Hunter; a brother-in-law, Philip Nicolai and Gloria of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters-in-law, Peggy McLaughlin of Danforth and Joyce McLaughlin of Orono; several special nieces and nephews; and a former daughter-in-law, Maureen Wotton. In addition to his wife, Ruth, he was predeceased by a grandson, Peter Leonard; and nine brothers, Llewellyn, Daniel, Franklin, Bert, Maurice, Charles, Thomas, John and Arthur. Friends may call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. Rosary will be recited 6 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 2 p.m. Monday at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church with the Rev. Miles Cyr presiding. Spring interment will be at Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Lincoln Recreation Building Fund. Donations may be left at the funeral home. For an online guest register and to leave written condolences, please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com.
JAMES LEO MCLAUGHLIN SR.
