Harry Arnold McLaughlin

Harry A. McLaughlin was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, on 29 July 1943, to Homer Lee McLaughlin (a baker by trade) and Francis Irene McLaughlin (nee Fincher). He was the second of six children: his older sister being Dixie Likens and younger siblings being Susan Whitworth, Patricia Coziar, the late Michael McLaughlin and Connie Kessler. An extremely close family, the siblings were friends who enjoyed one another’s company and a shared sense of humor.

Harry attended Cahokia High School (class of 1961) and became lifelong friends with many of his fellow students whom he still conversed with daily. After high school, Harry worked at family-owned bakeries: the McLaughlin Cake Box in Collinsville, Sweetheart Bakery in Cahokia, and Das Bakery in Belleville. During that time, he met and married his wife of twenty-three years, Phyllis J. Bollinger. Together they had two daughters, Colleen P. Chance and Heather J. Thies.

Harry attempted to enlist in the military, but was rejected for his colorblindness. He found employment at Monsanto’s JF Queeny Plant in St. Louis. He did so by forging a high school diploma. This was later discovered, and he was sent home on leave long enough to complete his GED. Harry initially worded an assembly line making aspirin; however, he was promoted to the company’s internal Fire Department, where he later became Chief. During Mr. McLaughlin’s tenure, his department assembled a HazMat team, the St. Louis area’s first. He was trained at the Texas A&M Engineering Fire Training Academy. Harry was the first person in the area certified to service and fill 3M’s ScottTM Air-PaksTM for breathing during industrial firefighting.

Harry McLaughlin, Vice President of International Chemical Workers Union Local 16, loved his job and enjoyed his colleagues at Monsanto, where he ended his career in 1998, as Monsanto’s Proactive Safety Coordinator of North America, which included the inspection and implementation of Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention. During these years at Monsanto, he met and married his friend and co-worker, Cindy Hauser, they were together for fourteen years.

Harry remained active long after retiring at the age of 55. He was an avid golfer and relished his Wednesday tee time with his golf buddies. They gathered for cards and shuffleboard too. He continued these activities even into his last weeks of life.

Ultimately, Mr. McLaughlin had five grandchildren (Anthony, Jackson, Emma, Ella, and Miles) who were the joy of his life. He never missed attending their events and participated in nearly all aspects of their lives: he’d drive them to school; cook for them (his famous pancakes and potato soup) and because of his family’s history in baking, engaged them in hunting for the perfect donut. Children listened to him because of his calm demeanor, which exuded wisdom. His grandchildren were with him until the end. There are no words to describe the void that is left in their hearts.

Harry’s example illustrated that material things are irrelevant, people are important, and family is everything.

Among the many people Harry loved and wanted thanked are: his sons in law Tony Chance and Brian Thies, his best friends since grade school Jerry Snow and Joe Schmalzried, Avon Belfi who has been like family for years and whose love and support cannot be put into words.

The family thanks his doctors Jay Seltzer, Donald Morris, and Officer Josiah Peacock, who all contributed to his longevity—thus the moniker, “Nine-Lives Harry.”

At the request of Harry McLaughlin, there will be no funeral: he preferred a party! The place and time will be announced later. His remains will be interred near those of Michael, Francis Irene, Homer, and Mr. McLaughlin’s grandparents at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation.