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FUNERAL HOME

Keenan Funeral Home, Inc. - West Haven

238 Elm Street

West Haven, Connecticut

Joseph McLaughlin Obituary

McLAUGHLIN, JOSEPH W. Joseph W. McLaughlin, of Orange, fondly known as the "Mayor of Crown Street", passed away on February 8, 2012 at the Hospital of St Raphael. He was the husband of Carolyn R. McLaughlin R.N. for 54 years. Joseph was born in New Haven on September 5, 1934 and was the son of Paul S. McLaughlin and Mary Cunningham McLaughlin. He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School. Joe was owner and operator of Kirk's Parking in New Haven for over 50 years, and at one time was the largest private parking operator in the New England area. Joe was best known in New Haven for helping those in need, whether it was food, clothing, or funds, no one was ever turned away. He helped at the Community Soup Kitchen for many years. Joe was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus Council 44 and a communicant at Holy Infant Church in Orange. He loved his family and was very involved in all of their lives by continually providing sound advice, inspiration, and love. He is survived by his wife Carolyn R. McLaughlin, his daughter Beth (Brennan) Wall, son Paul (Karen) McLaughlin, son Timothy McLaughlin, daughter Kateri (Joe) Gillis, and son Sean (Marisol) McLaughlin. He is survived by seven grandchildren, Timothy J. McLaughlin, Joseph M. McLaughlin, Stephen J. McLaughlin, Joseph L. Gillis, Sarah A. Gillis, Meghan E. Gillis, and Natalie M. McLaughlin. He was predeceased by sons William J. and Joseph W. McLaughlin. The family would like to thank his many physicians and health care providers for their devotion and care. They especially want to thank the staff at West River Health Care Center in Milford for their kindness and the loving care provided to Joe during his long illness. Friends may call on Sunday, February 12th from 5:30-8:30 pm, at Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm Street, West Haven, CT. Mass of Christian burial will be at 10am Monday, February 13 at The Church of the Holy Infant, 450 Racebrook Rd, Orange, CT. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Derby Ave, New Haven, CT. Family requests donations be made to the Community Soup Kitchen, 84 Broadway, New Haven, CT or the Church of the Holy Infant, 450 Racebrook Rd, Orange, CT. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so at www.keenanfuneralhome.com.

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Published by the New Haven Register from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph McLaughlin

24 Entries

February 13, 2012

Tim,
I am so sorry about the passing of your father. Please know that he is in a better place now with no more pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Carole Kish

Michelle Moser

February 13, 2012

So sorry for your loss may the Angels keep him at peace and Tim you have your angel of Goodness watching over you ^i^ My deepest sympathy to you and your family....

February 12, 2012

Beth, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Much love,God Bless-Kathleen Miller

Natalie Habert Redmond

February 12, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Talking about Joe the past few days has brought back many happy memories, and Joe seems to be laughing in all of them. (How that could be with all us kids running around like maniacs, I don't know, but it is so.) We wait in sure and certain hope, but the wait can be heart-breaking at times. We will keep you in prayer during the hard days to come. Love, Natalie, PJ, Daniel and Michael

Therese (Habert) Ryan

February 12, 2012

So sorry to hear of Joe's passing, but couldn't help but think of the grand reception he got on the other end! The Dowlings, McLaughlins, and a small army of vagabond saints. Will always remember his generosity and great smile...God bless!
Therese, John, Deidre, Katie and Jack

lucille fazzina

February 12, 2012

Timmy, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.. I am sure you miss him deeply.just trust in the thought he is at peace now with God.. All my best... Lucylu

Sue Monahan

February 11, 2012

Beth,

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Dads are a big part of our hearts and my prayers go out to you and your family during this time.

February 11, 2012

Dear Aunt Carol and all my cousings - our deepest sypathy for your loss. Glad Mom and Dad and I got a visit a few months ago. We will always fondly remember Uncle Joe! Love Miriam Nick and Sami Habert-Jaques

Cathlin McKissick

February 11, 2012

Dear Beth,
Growing up down the street I always felt so welcomed, a part of the extended McLaughlin family, in large part due to your mom and dad. You have such a large happy family always laughing and playing tricks on one another. Your parents always included me in cookouts and pool parties. We had a great childhood.

I was so happy when I learned that our parents were hanging out and had become good friends after their retirement. They have had such a wonderful time together.

Your dad was kind and generous and did so much for his community. He set a great example for us all. His is in our thoughts and prayers.

Beverly Whalen

February 11, 2012

No words can express our loss of such a wonderful man (Uncle Joey) who will be missed forever...

Annette Fernandez

February 10, 2012

Dear Beth,
I got to hear about your father from the stories you shared of him during bible study. His generosity and simplicity has always warmed my heart. I can see why he is your shining light and how he has helped shape your life.

I am sorry that I did not get a chance to see him in person, but know that the Good Lord is always waiting with open arms when one of his special sons-like your Father- returns to him. We keep your father in our prayers and at the same time ask him to intercede for all of us- so that we too may grow to be kind and generous as him.

February 10, 2012

Thank you Joseph:
Everyone loved Joe. For many similar and also for many different reasons. This was one of the best loved persons I had ever encountered. I have many reasons why I loved him. He was my friend, mentor, counselor and fellow comedian who loved being just himself.
When I was a teenager I was a boy of the streets . . . looking for a game of pool, a poker game or some kind of adventure with to direction at all about life. Joe changed that around. At Kirks little shelter we had many an hour together, just having general conversations and just being friends. However, as I aged I had come to realize he had in mind a way to get me on track. He landed me my first job delivering food from the restaurant across from Kirks to local business. Then he had me working at the parking lot, many a snowy night staying up late plowing the parking lots, me outside the jeep turning the snow plow. But the big and most important thing he did was at Tommy Colemans stag party when he introduced me to Ed Sudol who was the superintendent at Wilson H. Lee printing company, who hired me and gave me an apprenticeship that lasted me a live time. Soft, kind, compassionate were the traits of his that I have tried to imitate only grasping a little of them, but I am indeed a better man for his example. Thank you again Joe.
Bill McLaughlin

Marie Acampora

February 10, 2012

Carol & Tim

I am so sorry for your loss. May time ease your pain and may your memories live on forever. It's not easy, but at least Joe is not suffering anymore. Joe is in my prayers.

John J Coleman

February 10, 2012

Uncle Joe I Will miss you. I thank God I was blessed to have as my uncle. Love you.

February 10, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Maureen

Matt W

February 10, 2012

I will miss you Uncle Joe.

Sue O'Leary

February 10, 2012

Dear Beth,
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I just heard the news from Dara. The love and memories we have of our fathers is as eternal as their spirit. Their foot-steps left a path here on Earth for us to follow until we meet them again. God bless you and your family. My deepest condolences.

Ruth Bloxam

February 10, 2012

Dear Carol and Family, Sorry to hear of Joe's passing. He was such a great guy. Tom and I enjoyed being with you both. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Ruthie and Tom Bloxam

Dawn Foster

February 9, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Helen Miko

February 9, 2012

Joe was like a 2nd father to me. I spent a lot of time over their house when I was young, and he always treated me like another one of his children, instead of a cousin. There is surely another angel in Heaven, who was met by many who love him.
Love, Helen (Matt & Katie) Miko-- Spring City, TN

February 9, 2012

Beth,
Fathers are such important guides in our lives, I am so sorry for your loss.
Much love, Judy B

Thomas Mulconry

February 9, 2012

On Wednesday February 8, 2012, I had received word from my mother, Corinne E. Mulconry that Joe McLaughlin had passed away. I had just returned home from a four day business trip to the Paducah, KY area, investigating the theft of government property. I was sad to hear the news. Joe had been ill for a number of years, but managed to keep going despite the difficulties. I admired his strength in the face of adversity. Joe's death was expected, but I felt a deep sorrow just the same.

My memories of Joe extend well back into childhood. I remember that when I was two, my aunt Alvina Habert took me to visit the new house Joe and Carol had purchased in West Haven. I remember falling in my attempt to get up the stairs to the second floor, and subsequently being comforted with cake and milk, which was always a good thing. Joe was always pleasant to me and often gave me advice as I was growing up about what would be some good jobs to get into.

Joe was always a hard worker, and as I recall was the Uncrowned Parking Lot King of New Haven, CT for many years. Joe grew prosperous because of his work ethic, but was generous with what he had, not only within the confines of his family, but to those who were very much in need. Partly by watching his example I learned the importance of giving to others who had less than myself, and have therefore tried to be generous with what I had, no strings attached.

Joe was always good to his extended family, and often invited virtually all family members to his home to help him celebrate the holidays such as the 4th of July, religious events such as a baptism or confirmation, or the graduation of one of his children.

I recall that after I had graduated college jobs were tough to come by. Joe helped me obtain a job with Hertz Rent-a-Car as a driver. The money wasn't great, but it allowed me to make some money, and I learned how to get around New York, and New Jersey, which was a considerable benefit latter in my life.

During the fall of 1975, a friend of mine from Korea, Dong Chul Lee visited me over a long weekend. On the Saturday, Dong and I helped Joe close up the pool and I provided some grommets Joe used to facilitate the security of the pool cover. Joe thanked me for the help and often reminded me that some of the grommets I had given him were still on the pool cover years after the fact. Dong, like me, subsequently joined the Air Force, and he later became an engineer. My friend, Dong, unfortunately, was one of the passengers who were on the aircraft that hit the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. I mentioned that fact to Joe during one of the times he and Carol visited my sister Kathy's house in Rock Hill, CT, and he seemed genuinely saddened by the news.

My father Thomas R. Mulconry, Senior, loved Joe's company and in my mind's eye I can see them either by the smoke of a charcoal grill or walking along a beach enjoying each other's company. Joe was easy to like. He had a good sense of humor, and was a good guy to be around, because he seemed to have such a very positive attitude about life. I can still hear the eco of his laughter in my ears. Joe was also a religious man from what I could see, but seemed to prefer to lead by example rather than dictate his views. Joe will be remembered for his warm hospitality, generosity, and strong determination, as well as his keen wit and sense of humor; and he will be very much missed by all who knew and loved him.

Christopher Coleman

February 9, 2012

May you rest in peace Uncle & Godfather Joe knowing that you lived well and were loved by many. Christopher Coleman

JIM & CONNIE PINO

February 9, 2012

JOE WILL BE MISSED BY US AS A GOOD FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR. HE HELPED MANY PEOPLE AND WILL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED BY ALL THAT WERE PRIVILEDGED TO KNOW HIM. OUR PRAYERS WILL GO OUT FOR HIM.

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