Dr. John J. McLaughlin

Dr. John J. McLaughlin, 69, of Emerson, N.J., passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Dr. McLaughlin a long time resident of Bergen County, grew up in Ridgefield Park, was a Westwood resident and most recently lived in Emerson. Dr. McLaughlin was a chiropractor, who was dedicated to his patients and had a private practice in Westwood, specializing as a family chiropractor for over 35 years. He was dearly loved and respected by all of his patients and absolutely loved his work. A graduate of Bergen Catholic High School, Dr. McLaughlin went on to study at Rutgers University, earning a B.A. in 1970, and then continued on to earn his master’s degree in English from Marshall University and was working on his PhD at Binghamton College when he switched to chiropractic and earned his Doctorate from Sherman College of Chiropractic. He was a member of the Shade Tree Commission and served as a board member for the Borough of Westwood. Dr. McLaughlin enjoyed nature, hiking, tennis and was an avid birdwatcher. He also enjoyed spending quiet time with his wife at the beach every summer. He was a kind and gentle man, who loved spending time with his family, and was a devoted and loving Pop-Pop to his cherished grandchildren. The beloved husband of 25 years to Anne (nee D’Angelo) McLaughlin, he is survived by his children, Alyson Magnus, Kelly Purcaro and her husband, John Purcaro, Jr., and cherished grandchildren, Theresa and John Anthony Purcaro III, as well as his siblings, Maureen Marino and her husband, David, Kathleen Mastromonica and her husband, Michael, Thomas McLaughlin and his wife, Kyle and Patricia Piercy and her husband, Jeffery. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Jamie and her husband Bjorn, Tim and his wife Molly, Meghan and her husband David, Devin, Ian, Dylan, and Tierney as well as his great nieces and nephew Evan, Zoey, Marina, Samantha, and Erica. Dr. McLaughlin was predeceased by his parents, Josephine “Patricia” and John A. McLaughlin. The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating Dr. McLaughlin's life and faith will be held at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Hillsdale, NJ on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 9:30AM. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105, would be appreciated