Tom McLaughlin

Henry T. (Tom) McLaughlin, Jr. of Bridgewater passed away unexpectedly on January 2nd, 2024. He was 77 years old.

Tom was born in Boston, MA, and grew up on School Street in Roxbury, MA. He attended Boston Latin High School, earned his degree in Business Management from Newbury College, and served in the U.S. Navy. Tom was a proud member of the Seabees (MCB-12) stationed in Davisville, RI. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969, was a member of the Naval reserves for 26 years and retired as an E-7 Chief Petty Officer.

Throughout most of his life, Tom worked as a Carpenter and General Contractor, starting at the age of 9 alongside his father. He took immense pride in his craft and was employed by Consalvo & Sons of Hyde Park, MA, for many years. Later, he worked with Cargill & Blake in Campton, NH.

Passionate about football, Tom played in local leagues after high school, held season tickets for the New England Patriots alongside his brother Jack, and served as an "A" team coach for the Hyde Park Pop Warner, positively impacting many young lives. His son, Brian, began his football journey at 5 years old as a team mascot, while his daughter, Michelle, cheered for Pop Warner.

Tom cherished spending time in various Billiard halls, including Jillian's in Boston and Mad Maggie's in Norwood, participating in their 9-Ball league and earning numerous trophies. He enjoyed card games such as Pinochle, Blackjack, and Poker, but his true passion lay in Cribbage. Tom was an active member of various community leagues for over 20 years won numerous awards and held a National ranking in the American Cribbage Congress.

He had a deep love for music, especially Irish, Country, and Folk. Every Saturday, WROL 950AM, Irish Hit Parade, played in his home. He and his former wife Judy, along with his twin sister Ellie and her husband Mick, often traveled to different towns to enjoy performances by local Irish bands such as The Jolly Tinkers, The Bards, and The Beggermen.

Tom had a knack for effectively using sarcasm and was known for his "Irish wit." He will be remembered as being hard-nosed, strong-willed, and disciplined. He was dearly loved by all who knew him.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Henry T. McLaughlin, Sr., and Marion E. (Sloane) McLaughlin, as well as his siblings, John (Jack) McLaughlin, James McLaughlin, Robert McLaughlin, M. Patricia McLaughlin, and Barbara Lacey.

He is survived by his former wife Judy (Mutlow) McLaughlin of Sharon, MA; daughter, Michelle McLaughlin of Medfield, MA; son, Brian McLaughlin, and his wife Larissa of Sandown, NH; grandchildren Sean and Sydney McLaughlin of Sandown, NH, and sisters Eleanor (Ellie) Gillespie, Anne Pelletier, and Kathy Girelli. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Monday, January 8th, 2024, at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 98 Bedford Street, Bridgewater, MA 02324, from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 103 Center St., Bridgewater, MA, at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Fund @ www.seabee.org in memory of BUC H. Thomas McLaughlin, Jr. for the NMCB 12 Scholarship.