It is with deepest sorrow and heavy hearts that the family of Thomas Michael McLaughlin announces his passing on Sunday, March 19, 2017, in Bristol, Vermont, after a courageous and valiant battle with cancer.
Tommy was born on May 19, 1961, in Bryn Mawr, PA, to Bernadette and the late Gerard McLaughlin. His family moved from Pennsylvania to Simsbury, CT, in 1971. Tom attended St. Mary’s School in Simsbury and Simsbury High School. After high school Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent the next five years aboard the USS Ranger aircraft carrier as an air traffic controller.
After serving his country faithfully, Tom returned to Simsbury where he started his own hardwood flooring business. He did beautiful artistic and creative design in hardwood floors for clients in Connecticut and most recently in Vermont.
Tommy was an avid fisherman, hiker and skier who took in the outdoors and nature every chance he had. He was a warm and kind-hearted gentleman who loved all animals (even a little mouse).
Above all Tom was a kind, loving, generous and hardworking man, always willing to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors. He will be dearly missed by all of those who loved him.
Tom leaves his daughter, Margaret Mary McLaughlin of Vermont; his mother, Bernadette McLaughlin of Avon, CT; five siblings, brothers, Martin (Mary) of VT and Paul (Beth) of PA, and three sisters, Kathleen (Roland) of CT, Mary Louise (Michael) of VT and Patricia (Ivan) of New York; as well as his nieces and nephews, Timothy, Heather, Christopher, Riley, Liam, Sam, Jack and Owen; and his great niece, Clara, and great nephew, Benjamin McLaughlin, and great niece, Eliza Feldman; and many cousins and countless friends.
There will be an Irish wake at the Bobcat Cafe on Sunday evening, March 26, beginning at 4 p.m. and a Celebration of Life on Monday, March 27, at Mad River Glen. A potluck celebration in General Stark’s Pub will follow a 4 p.m. voluntary ski run. Memorial donations in Thomas’ name may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, 254 Ethan Allen Hwy., New Haven, Vermont, 05472.
