Paul Michael McLaughlin

Love of life, family, God and friends with a constant desire to do for others provided Paul McLaughlin with the strength and courage to endure his heroic 6-year battle against cancer. Friday night February 25, 2005 with dignity and courage; while surrounded by family, friends and his caregivers, Paul succumbed to his illness, he was 39 years old. Knowing the odds were against him, Paul did not quit. Instead, he remained positive and focused his energies on raising money to fight the illness that was taking his life. Paul organized many charity events over the years including a yearly golf tournament and an ice hockey game pitting his family and friends against the Boston Bruins Legends. Through his fund raising efforts, the Jimmy Fund Little Angels Fund received over one half million dollars in the hope that others would benefit. When not busy in his charitable efforts or suffering from the effects of chemotherapy, Paul and wife Mary Catherine Jepsen McLaughlin ensured that they squeezed life for all its worth. Every spare moment was focused on their children. Paul was engaged in outdoor adventure, sports, travel and spending time with extended family. His one indulgence was yearly trips to South Bend for Notre Dame Football. He was a talented athlete, particularly in hockey. One of the few bright moments he had in the last few weeks of his life was a visit from Ray Bourque. Ray came to talk to Paul, sign shirts, sticks and pucks for the whole neighborhood, and play a game of street hockey with Paul as the goalie. Mike Barnicle in the Boston Herald subsequently detailed the visit. He was an avid sports fan and was a Patriots season ticket holder. Passion for sports coupled with Paul's love of children motivated him to coach and mentor his and other children in a variety of sports. Paul was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, grandson, coach and friend. He was raised in Randolph and graduated from Boston College High School in 1983 and from Franciscan University in Ohio in 1990. Besides countless friends and extended family, Paul leaves behind his wife of 11 years ? Mary Catherine and 3 children; Brendan ? age 9, Cameron ? age 7 and Erin ? 21 months, his parents, Paul and Dorothy Scahill McLaughlin of Randolph, his grandmother, Edna McLaughlin of Weymouth, 1 brother, Sean McLaughlin of Braintree, 4 sisters, Patrice Kraekel of MD, Susan Murray of Needham, Dorrie Luck of NJ and Annmarie Klein of Randolph. Paul may have lost his battle but succeeded in serving as an inspiration for everyone he encountered and left us all better people for having known him. He lived every day to the fullest! Paul's extended family would like to express our deepest gratitude for the many kind words, offerings of prayer, and support from friends and strangers. To his caregivers at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center, we want to send a special thank you for your compassion, dedication, and the respect you showed Paul and his family. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 9 AM in Holy Family Church, 403 Union Street in Rockland. Internment in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Dorchester. Visiting hours in the Sullivan Funeral Home 41-45 East Water Street in ROCKLAND on Sunday from 5-8 PM and Monday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A charitable trust has been established at the Citizens Bank, 250 Rockland Street Hanover, MA 02339 under the McLaughlin Family Trust.