ED MCLAUGHLIN Obituary

ED MCLAUGHLIN

Early Thursday morning, May 24, 2012, Ed "The Bike Guy" McLaughlin finished his Grand Tour of Life. He passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness. The loss of Ed will be felt deeply not just by his family and friends, but our whole community and beyond.

Ed was born in East Orange, New Jersey and was raised in Bloomfield, NJ. He had lifelong affection for his home state, even forming The New Jersey Club here in Chico. Before coming out west to California, Ed was in the US Army during the Vietnam era. In 1966, Ed came to California to take advantage of the GI Bill to go to school and to experience the west coast. He lived and went to school in Santa Barbara and Arcata, CA. Suffice to say he participated fully in his generation. He maintains friendships with many of the folks he met during those years. He studied Art at CSU, Humboldt, and then worked for a while at the Welfare office in Eureka.

In 1976, Ed moved to take a job with the Social Security office. It was soon after this that on the advice of a doctor, Ed quit smoking, started running and of course, cycling. After leaving Social Security (it was cutting into his riding time too much), he worked first for Sierra Nevada in its formative years and then had a bicycle messenger service: Edscargo (escargot. . . get it?) At that time there was a cycling group in Chico called Mellow Velo. Ed started riding with this group, making life-long friends and becoming addicted to the bike. Through his enthusiasm for cycling, his goal was to get folks out of their cars, to walk or bike, and to facilitate changes throughout Chico to make alternative transportation easier. In 1982, he retired from car ownership and in 1985, became the director of Chico Velo Cycling Club, formerly Mellow Velo. Ed was instrumental in growing the Wildflower Century into the 4000+ rider event it is today. Through his efforts, Ed also gained national notoriety for Chico from the League of American Cyclists and Bicycle Magazine. His work for Chico Velo and his advocacy efforts dropped off after a cycling accident in 2007 left him a quadriplegic. But as he re-gained his strength, he returned to being very engaged in following City matters, sending e-mails and cruising around town in his wheelchair.

Probably the biggest influence Ed had on our town was to encourage advocacy, through civic participation, to achieve change in the City. Any number of past and present City Council members and members of City Boards and Commissions ran for office or appointment at Ed's urging. That is why we have so many bike/pedestrian friendly facilities throughout town. Ed personally ran twice for City Council on the platform of "common sense in growth". Sadly, or not, depending on who you talk to, his election efforts were not successful. Ed of course had many other passions; Art, music, traveling (he could talk endlessly about his multiple bike tours to Europe and France especially) and "gabbing" with friends over a coffee or a drink. Many of Ed's friends are repeatedly amazed by how well he kept in touch with longtime friends and could remember names and faces like nobodies business. He cherished his friends, loved re-connecting with past friends and watching his friends children grow up. He was "Uncle Ed" to a number the town's children and young adults.

Ed is survived by two brothers, George and Greg McLaughlin, both from New Jersey; nieces and nephews, Christopher, Peter, Trevor, Eric and Kaitlen; multiple cousins; and his partner of the last 8 years, Suzanne Hanson of Chico.

A Memorial/Celebration of Ed's life will be held in a month or so. The date will be made public as soon as arrangements can be made.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to send a donation to the Chico Cyclists Care Fund, P0 Box 2036, Chico, CA 95927.

You may share your thoughts and memories of Ed online at NBCFH.com.

Eat, Breathe, Drink, Pedal; it's what Ed would have done.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chico Enterprise-Record on May 30, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for ED MCLAUGHLIN

5 Entries

See you down the road, Ed.

Bob Budesa

January 21, 2013

I first met Ed in 1985, when he traveled north to Alturas to officiate a bike race I was promoting. Ed was very kind in his assistance, even though I'd clearly overstepped my authority in this venture. What a character! Out of that initial meeting grew a friendship that lasted many years, until distance and time drew us apart.

I'm selfishly sad to have Ed out of my life, but more so that he's out of the lives of everyone he knew, and those he'd not yet met.

My condolences to his family and friends.

I'll miss you pal.

Marilyn Adams

June 1, 2012

I remember Ed's help given to me and my Chapter of The March of Dimes where I was ED for 5 years in Chico, We held several 20 mile walk-a-thons and gave the winners bikes as a prize which Ed advised me to purchase. He also added a few riders to the foot race to be "safety people" along the way. I supported his bids for city council and was sorry he never won but Chico won having him as an active citizen and supporter of the community. Happy landings, Ed.

Deb Eckersley

May 30, 2012

One of the offices I worked in at Enloe was next to Ed's home. He was opposed to the heliport; and recorded his answering machine message with the helicopter's "wop-wop" in the background. He was a nice man, and passionate in his beliefs. I am very sorry to hear of his passing, my condolences go out to his family and friends. May God bless you all and keep you close.

Tina Dahl

May 30, 2012

I have known Ed since 1988 when he was a client of mine at Jiffyprint. He was very, very dear to me for reasons outside of cycling. He once performed a very important act of friendship to me that I will forever be in his debt. My heart breaks for his family, Suzanne, all his friends and supporters, caregivers and the general public who lost a very important advocate, friend and all around fabulous person. I am truly saddened by Ed's passing, but only hope now he can finally fulfill his dream to "retire" to Paris and enjoy all those endless roads. Love you Ed, RIP.

Melissa Brown

May 30, 2012

My heart goes out to Suzanne, Ed's friends and family. Knowing Ed since 1976, he was a great friend and influence. Had it not been for Ed, I don't think I'd have discovered Pat Metheny and other great jazz greats. We spent time at Chico's first coffee house, Malvina's, sharing a slice, coffee and the music. He is depicted in a painting of Malvina's by our late friend, Tom Siporin, that hangs at my home. Ed brought great joy and inspiration to so many of us. Let's make sure we remember him by bringing ourselves fully into all we do.

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