THOMAS "TOM" MCLAUGHLIN

McLAUGHLIN, Thomas (Tom) Age 77, of Bourne, retired Massachusetts State Police Lieutenant Colonel passed away November 28, at Brigham and Women's Hospital surrounded by his loving family after a long illness. Tom was born in Woburn, MA, to John McLaughlin and Mary (Caulfield) McLaughlin. Tom was the loving brother of his two sisters, Mary Parmalee and Ruth Walton; and his brothers, Jack and Kevin McLaughlin; and was predeceased by his brother, Gerard (Gerry) McLaughlin. Tom leaves behind his loving wife of 32 years, Sheryl (Piazza) McLaughlin; his daughters, Sherri Torla and her husband, Steve of Louisville, KY, and Sharyn McLaughlin of Fitchburg; and he was a devoted stepfather to his stepson, Michael Lowthers, who predeceased him. Tom was the proud grandfather of Dane Cline of Dover, NH, and Colin Martin of Lynn. Tom and Sheryl lived in Sturbridge, MA, after their marriage, then Woburn and retired to Bourne, MA, where they have lived for the last nine years. After Tom's graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam war. He was selected to join the Strategic Air Command and served as a SAC Elite Guard for the duration of his service. Upon returning home, Tom's interest in law enforcement had been whetted by his military police and he applied for and was accepted into the Massachusetts State Police. He was a member of the 54th RTT, had been assigned to "C" Troop, "A" Troop, "E" Troop and "Bureau Investigative Services." During his career, Tom worked several high profile cases including the 1980 shooting of Trooper Marty Stephens on Rte. 495 in Chelmsford. Tom was a former "Trooper of the Year" and received the Medal of Merit for attempting to rescue a person whose car had run off the road into a lake. Tom also led the investigation of the State Police Helicopter Crash in 1995. Tom continued his education while a member of the State Police and received his B.S. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and his Masters in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. Tom received many awards and commendations. Following his retirement from the State Police in 2001, Sheryl and Tom did a cross country trip in their motorhome and Tom began to enjoy the benefits of retirement. However, it wasn't long before his interest in public service work soon reawakened and he decided to run for public office in the City of Woburn where he was raised and where his father, brother, Jack, and cousin, Henry served as City Council and School Committee members. Tom ran for office as a City Council member and joined the family history of service to the public. Then he served on the Woburn City Council for one term and was a popular city council member. It wasn't long before there were many people encouraging him to run for Mayor of the City of Woburn. Tom did choose to run for that office and was successfully elected and served two terms as Mayor of Woburn from 2006 to 2010. In the years since leaving politics, Tom enjoyed being active. He was an avid hiker, kayaker, and bicycler. He enjoyed travel with Sheryl. Tom was always willing to lend a helping hand to others and was looked upon as a dynamic problem solver and mentor to many. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and being involved wherever he saw a need. He served on the Village of Brookside Condo Association in Bourne, MA, as a member and Chairman for several years. Tom and Sheryl also spent many winter months enjoying their friends and family in Jupiter, FL. Visitation Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 9 - 10 AM at Chapman Funeral & Cremations, 584 West Falmouth Highway, WEST FALMOUTH. Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 481 Quaker Road, North Falmouth. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army in his memory. The family would also like to mention the deep appreciation of the compassionate care he received from the dedicated nurses, Doctors and staff at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. For online guestbook and directions, please visit www.chapmanfuneral.com Chapman Funerals & Cremations Falmouth, 508-540-4172