Michael A. McLaughlin

Wilton, NY- Michael A. McLaughlin died at his home in Wilton, New York surrounded by his loving family on September 5, 2023. Mike was 63 years old.

Mike was born in Portland, Maine on January 19, 1960 to Rachel and Alfred McLaughlin. He graduated from Windham High School in 1979 and immediately following he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He married Mary Beth Bryson in 1982. They resided in Jacksonville, North Carolina where he was stationed at Camp LeJeune then briefly in Albany, New York. They then moved to Windham, Maine until they settled in Saratoga Springs in 1994.  

He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1982. He then worked for Weathershield for 10 years building windows and doors. Upon his move to New York, he worked for over 26 years as a salesman for Barnes Distribution/MSC Industrial Supply. He also enjoyed his second vocation as a basketball referee for over 20 years.

He was proud to be a member of the IAABO Board 36 Union of basketball officials and received a rarely bestowed life member award from the union in January 2023 for his dedication to teaching new referee candidates.

Michael is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary and two sons Joseph (Chelsea Williams) and Daniel (Emily Walton) and Emily’s daughter Riley Richardson. He is also survived by his two brothers and three sisters, Patrick (Patty) McLaughlin of Windham, Maine, Jeffrey McLaughlin of Lewiston, Maine, Cheryl (Chris) Unterkoefler of Lisbon Falls, Maine, Angela (Larry) McLaughlin of Sabattus, Maine, and Jill (Bob) Jean of Gorham, Maine. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Diane (Harris) Unger of Mechanicville, New York, Lynne (Peter) McKee of Delmar, New York, Carol (Bill) Karp of Fayetteville, New York and brother-in-law Jon (Joanne) Bryson of Silver Spring, Maryland. In addition, he is survived by twenty-two nieces and nephews and their children.

He was predeceased by his parents Rachel and Alfred McLaughlin and several aunts and uncles.

Michael loved his family and friends and was always ready with a smile. He had many interests including playing all sports (except golf), gardening (especially growing pineapples), astronomy, biking, ping pong, collecting rocks from places he visited, tinkering in his yard and woodworking. He loved dogs, his own through the years and his son’s dogs this past year. He loved all teams from Boston and enjoyed sparring with New York fans. He had a love of teaching and coaching children and could often be found down on the floor with a gaggle of kids around him. He loved spreading his knowledge of sports to kids of all ages. He used his job as a referee to help the young kids learn the game and he taught a few lessons to the fans in the stands.

Most of all Mike loved life as evident in the battle he waged to survive as long as he could against a cruel disease, ALS. Even when he was no longer able to move anything but his facial muscles, he could still give a smile to those caring for him. He was cared for not only by his wife and two sons, who remained dedicated to the end but by his caregivers, June Teets, Whytnney Pierce, Dr. Julie Phillips and her staff and his hospice nurse, Alice Benfey along with many professionals at the VA and ALS Center. It truly takes a village to care for one so disabled and give support to the caregivers and many thanks go to Peter and Lynne McKee, Diane Unger, Barb Marriott, Chelsea Williams and Emily Walton and other family and friends. A special thank you to Ali Chamberlin for her loving support, especially in the final days.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM-5:00 PM at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866 with a service to follow at 5 PM. Burial with military honors will be bestowed on Monday, September 11, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Gerald B. H. Soloman Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY 12871.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Peter’s ALS Center at 19 Warehouse Row, Albany, NY 12205 or online to the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208 or givetostpeters.org. Please designate the ALS Regional Center as the recipient of your donation.