Donald Michael McLaughlin

1933 - 2025

Donald Michael McLaughlin

May 8, 1933 - August 31, 2025

Donald "Mike McLaughlin" a long time resident of St Augustine, Fla., passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, at the age of 92.

Mike was born in Auburn, N.Y., to the son of an Irish immigrant. His father, Michael Joseph McLaughlin, arrived in the U.S. through Ellis Island and later married Mike's mother, the late Mary O'Hara.

He graduated from East High School and served proudly in the Marine Corps prior to graduating from Syracuse University where he also was a talented college football player. He loved college and pro football and was a lifelong fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

After a long career with the New York State Department of Corrections that began at Sing Sing State Correctional Facility, he retired to St. Augustine, a city he first fell in love with in 1953 when visiting as a young Marine stationed at Parris Island.

Mike also had a sixty year summer romance with his beloved Yankee Station, the summer cottage he built on beautiful Cayuga Lake just south of Aurora, N.Y., where he entertained family and friends. Mike was truly a life long learner and student of world history; he read the New York Times daily (cover to cover) and visited more than 25 countries during his lifetime. He particularly loved train travel and wherever he was in the world, he always welcomed the opportunity to sip on a cold draft beer with someone he just met. His loud and infectious laugh, his telling of stories that were never short, and his endless and enormous zest for life will be the fondest of memories for all those who knew him and loved him.

Mike leaves behind to celebrate his long and happy life, seven living children; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister and her four children: daughters, Patty (Bill) Lupien, Colleen (Art) Wallner, Michelle (Joe) Lippert, Kathy McLaughlin; sons, Michael, Kevin and Keith; his grandchildren, Brian (Erin) Ide, Lindsey (Brian) Moe, Brad (Amy) Wallner, Joshua (Amber) Lippert, Joseph (Ashley) Lippert, Gregory Lippert and Danielle Lippert; and his sister, Maureen McLoughlin.

He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Laurie (Greg) Lippert; his first wife and mother of his eight children, (Alice Schatzel McLaughlin); and his second wife, (Jane Devlin McLaughlin). Additionally, he leaves behind three stepchildren, Thomas (Maryann) Devlin, Michael (Mia) Devlin and Barbara (Dave) Ruf; and seven stepgrandchildren.

In accordance with his wishes, Mike will be cremated and his ashes will be spread during a private family celebration of his life. Remembrances for Mike may be made through charitable contributions to the St Francis House in St Augustine. His family wishes him a very thankful and fond farewell and a safe journey home, accompanied by the Irish music that he so loved, where he can enjoy eternal life with perpetual light shining on him.