Thomas McLaughlin Jr.

Thomas F. "Tom" McLaughlin Jr. Naples, FL

After a brief illness, Thomas F. "Tom" McLaughlin Jr. died peace fully at home with his family on March 21, 2010. Tom was a deeply spiritual man who never met a stranger, loved his family and lived each day with the conviction that his purpose in life was to serve God and his community. Tom was born and raised in New York, NY, volunteered for service during WW II and served honorably as a captain in the U.S. Army Signal Corp in the China-Burma-India theatre. Attending Fordham University on the GI Bill, he earned a B.A. in education and met the love of his life Arabella Murphy. They married in 1949 and raised six children, settling in Savannah, GA. Tom worked for Western Electric for 43 years, retired in 1982 and became a full time community volunteer and eventually a devoted caregiver to his wife, Kit, who had Alzheimer's.

For 40 years he was an active member of St. James Catholic Church, always ready as a willing and enthusiastic volunteer. He served as a lector, and along with his wife, RCIA sponsor and strong supporter of the clergy and religious throughout the Savannah diocese. He spearheaded the renovations of Our Lady of Good Hope Chapel on the Isle of Hope, and was an active volunteer and founding Board member of Habitat for Humanity in Savannah. He was awarded the Saint Thomas More Award and was a recipient of the Bishop Gartland Service Award for decades of willing service in the Diocese of Savannah. His training in Christian service began at age ten at the Catholic Worker kitchen table in New York City. There he listened and learned from Dorothy Day, and her friend, his aunt, Ellen McNeill.

Tom lovingly cared for his wife for many years, and as her Alzheimer's progressed, moved with her to the Memory Unit at Terracina Grande in Naples in 2002. Tom was an active member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church as a Lay Minister; he attended Mass daily, prayed the rosary faithfully, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. He started a Bible Study at Terracina Grande where he was affectionately known as "the unofficial mayor." He always had a ready smile, a kind or encouraging word, saw the best in people, and cared deeply for his friends and neighbors.

Tom was an avid gardener. He worked tirelessly in the garden in the Memory Unit at Terracina, and the garden was later dedicated to his wife and named "Arabella's Garden." More recently he created a Terracina community vegetable garden for all to enjoy. He was a gentle soul with a deep appreciation of nature and his enthusiasm for life was infectious. Because of his own experience caring for his wife Arabella during their journey with Alzheimer's, Tom had a deep empathy for those dealing with the disease. He remained an active volunteer with the Alzheimer's Support Network until his death. His legacy is one of loving service, from the simple gesture of a kind word or smile, to larger works requiring extensive planning, volunteer coordination and commitment. He will be truly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Arabella Murphy McLaughlin.

He is survived by his loving family, daughter, Barbara; son, Tom and his wife, Martha Ruth; son, John and his wife, Helen, and their children Paul and Molly; daughter, Mary McLaughlin Clarke and her husband, Bob, and their children, Robbie, David, and Katie Clarke D'Epagnier and her husband, Andrew; son, Justin and his wife, Karen, and their children, Kelsey and Colleen; son, Leo and his wife, Barbara, and their children, Laura, and Allison McLaughlin Casper and her husband, Brooks; and his three brothers, Donald McLaughlin, Rev. Neil McLaughlin, and James McLaughlin.

A celebration of his life will begin with a Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 10th at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples, FL. A reception will follow at noon at Terracina Grande, 6825 Davis Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer's Support Network, 660 Ninth Street North, Naples, FL 34102 to help them continue to serve the families of Collier County.