Brenny Wayne McLaughlin

1948 - 2008

Born January 10, 1948, Brenny Wayne McLaughlin, of Roanoke, departed this life on Monday, August 18, 2008, at the UVA Medical Center. Pre-deceased by his parents, Marco Arthur McLaughlin and Gertrude Rena Brown McLaughlin; and a sister, Dolly Acree, Brenny is survived by his beloved partner, Sheri Bernath; two beautiful children, Ian Barclay McLaughlin, currently residing in Costa Rica, and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Pearson-McLaughlin, a senior at the University of North Carolina Asheville; and four siblings, Dr. Earl McLaughlin, of Lexington, Va., Eva Keenan, of Dixie, W.Va., Emil McLaughlin, of Dayton, Ohio, and Donald "Don" McLaughlin, of Franklin, Ohio. Born on a farm in Birch River nestled between the towns of Sutton and Summersville, W.Va., his boyhood days were filled with chores and sneaking off to the barn to take apart clocks and sleep with the cats. His lifelong distaste for chicken and preference for the company of cats took root in these early years. Brenny started school in an old "one-room" school house cooled in the fall and spring by the breeze from the creek and heated by a wood burning pot bellied stove in the winter. He also honed his innate mechanical abilities and developed his trademark frugality and self-reliance during these early years. It was often remarked that "he could make anything." Indeed, friends marveled at the complex polishing machines he built for his metal working business. He also utilized these traits in his avocation of building and remodeling houses. During high school he was known for his skill at table tennis. He enjoyed jazz, volleyball, tennis, golf, experimental cooking and watching the birds feed at his window. A man of few words and never one to make the self-serving flattering remark, his word, when he finally shared it, was gold. Brenny attended the University of West Virginia, served in the Navy during the Viet Nam War, survived a terrifying night of Hurricane Camille trapped in a beach front apartment, and worked most of his life as a metal artist. From the big pieces of both utilitarian and decorative art of his early years, he is best known locally for his hand crafted jewelry sold for many years at Brenn Jewelers. Brenny miraculously recovered from an aortic dissection 18 years ago, but such was not his fortune this time. A memorial service to mourn his passing and celebrate his life is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, August 23, 2008, at the UnitarianUniversalist Church of Roanoke. A time to visit with family and friends will immediately follow the service.