Frederick Philip Laughlin

Portland- Fred Laughlin, 78 passed away peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, February 13th at The Bellavita in Scarborough where he had been residing for the past 8 months. Fred was born on December 21, 1938 in Portland, Maine the son of the late Curtis S. Laughlin and Dorothy (Taylor) Laughlin. Fred attended Deering High School where he was a 4 year member of the band and cadets playing the clarinet, graduating in 1956. Following graduation he continued on to The University of Southern Maine at Portland’s Gorham St. College, later enlisting in the US Coast Guard where he continued his love of music playing in the United States Coast Guard Band for 3 years. He continued to stay on as part of the Coast Guard Reserve for 25 more. Fred’s strong work ethic began at the young age of 12 when he would work on a fishing charter boat during the summers. After graduating from college he worked at Fairchild and as a second job operated and owned his own cab in Portland until settling into the US Post Office as a mail handler for the next 29 years. Because he worked the night shift Fred could be found for breakfast every day at Kathy & Dave’s Restaurant until retiring at the age of 76.

When Fred’s kids were young he would love to take them snowmobiling and for road trips to Florida. He was proud to say he was one of the first 80,000 people to enter Disney when it opened. Fred never missed his son’s football games and even in college he would drive to wherever he played. He traveled to Italy to visit his son there and enjoyed going to Arizona to pan for gold. Since a young boy Fred loved spending the summers on Great Diamond Island with his parents and brothers and on his old Chris-Craft boat. As the years went by he enjoyed stopping into the neighbors, sharing stories and attending lobster dinners at the “hall”. By far his greatest joy was spending time with his son and his family and watching his grandchildren at their sporting events. Fred was sweet and generous and always happy to join in the family activities. We all loved his traditional lobster bisque he made for Christmas Eve. A secret talent he kept under wraps.

He is survived by his son Phil Laughlin, his wife Christine, and his grandchildren, Zack Labbe, Matthew and Nicholas Laughlin of Cape Elizabeth, his brother Stuart Laughlin of Kennebunk, nephew Robert Laughlin and niece Catherine Laughlin of Manchester CT. He is also survived by his ex-wife Nance Ivers of Kingman, AZ. Fred will be sadly missed by his daughter in law’s family, including her parents, sisters, aunts and cousins. He was a fixture at all the family holidays and birthday parties, loved by all.

Fred was predeceased by his daughter Gail Laughlin and 2 brothers Ernest Laughlin of Kittery and R. Bruce Laughlin of Manchester CT.

We would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Bellavita in Scarborough for their kindness and genuine care for Fred. It gave us peace of mind knowing he was happy and well cared for.

Friends and family are invited to attend a time of Visitation on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodfords St. Portland, Maine. A funeral service will be held on Thursday February 18, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home. Interment will be in the spring at Evergreen Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. On-line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.