Clifton Earle McLaughlin

Clifton Earle McLaughlin, founder and president of Eastern Controls, Inc. and an Army Veteran died peacefully at his home in Villanova, Pa., on Jan. 8, 2011 surrounded by his family. Cliff was born in Turner, Maine in 1934 to Ronald Coombs and Corinne Lermond McLaughlin where he grew up hunting, fishing, and helping his family. Cliff graduated from Leavitt Institute in Turner, Maine and went on to attend the University of Maine in Orono where he earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering along with an advanced degree in Pulp and Paper. He was also a Varsity Letterman on the Rifle team and an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and ROTC. After Graduation, Cliff joined the Army eventually receiving an Honorable Discharge as a First Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps, while stationed in Germany; he met his future Wife, Elke Schliephacke. Cliff and Elke were married in 1965 in Brunswick, Ga. Upon returning stateside, Cliff joined Masoneilan in Norwood, Mass., first as a territory salesman and then as a regional manager. In 1969, along with a trusted group of friends, Cliff founded Eastern Controls, Inc. in Haverford, Pa., and worked tirelessly to grow the business and support his family. Cliff was a long time and faithful member of the Instrument Society of America holding numerous positions throughout his career and receiving many distinguished honors and awards from his peers. Cliff was also a member of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and Aronimink Golf Club. He loved flying, hunting, fishing, golf, travel, working on his antique cars, and doing just about anything he could together with his friends and family. Cliff was the Beloved husband of Elke McLaughlin (nee Schliephacke). Devoted father of Clifton Earle McLaughlin, Jr. (Susan). Loving grandfather of Gracie. Dear brother of Sharon Bremner and the late Sheldon McLaughlin. Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, 11 a.m., at The Chapel of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Heartland Hospice, 460 Norristown Rd. Suite 101, Blue Bell, PA 19422 or to American Cancer Society, 5455 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214. Funeral arrangements by McConaghy Funeral Home, Ardmore, www.mcconaghyfuneralhome.com.