Ricky Martin McLaughlin

Ricky was born on August 12, 1964 in Ithaca NY. He received a BS in Business Administration from Coastal Carolina University, an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration from Cayuga Community College and an Associate of Applied Science in Financial Management from the Community College of the Air Force.

During his six years in the US Air Force, Ricky was most proud of his service as a Sergeant during Operation Desert Shield in 1990-91, overseeing the disbursement of funds to transfer King Fahd airport to the joint forces’ military facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He was awarded USAF Commendation for his accomplishments in “Operation Desert Shield.”

Ricky’s career focused on the hospitality industry working 21 years in management, which included sales and business operations statewide in wholesale beverage distribution and lead sales and management of facilities improvement projects for the Air Force, both in the US and overseas. He held jobs as Club Accounts Manager at Empire Distributors, Inc., General Manager of Mickey & Mooch for six years and was Assistant General Manager at ZMOX Corporation for eight years with responsibilities for restaurants in Charlotte and Greenville, SC.

Ricky was an avid sports enthusiast of any sport at any place at any time. He coached his son Dylan’s Recreational, Challenge and All-Star baseball teams at MARA. He influenced many young players to embrace and love baseball. Off the field he was the best girl dad to Claire. They had dance parties, cooked delicious masterpieces and had spa days doing their nails. He loved Claire and Dylan more than anything.

He is survived by twin children Lillian “Claire” and Dylan, mother of his children Karma, sister Lisa, brother in-law Mark, nephew Matthew, nieces Marlea and Makenna in Ithaca NY, Father Mike McLaughlin in Buffalo, NY along with aunts, uncles and nephews and niece on the Alger side of his family. He is preceded in death by his mother, Joan and brother Brian.

As Ricky loved the beach and ocean, his ashes will be spread in the ocean on the coast of North Carolina. He will be pleased to have friends and family visit with him there or wherever he may be on his eternal worldwide voyage.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte. Later that day family and friends gathered for a celebration of Ricky's life at CharBar No.7 in Matthews.

Ricky will also be honored at New York State Veterans Cemetery - Finger Lakes in Romulus, NY on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 11am joining many other brave soldiers who fought for our great country.