ROBERT BRADY MCLAUGHLIN

ROBERT BRADY MCLAUGHLIN
89, passed away on April 3, 2013. He was born in Colorado Springs, CO on July 11, 1923. His mother died when he was three years old and he missed her all of his life. He lived in Yucaipa and Redlands for most of his childhood. Until recently, when he became ill, he lived on his own in the lovely retirement community of Plymouth Village in Redlands, CA. He drove his car all over Redlands until just a few months ago. He proudly shared with everyone that he was the first mailman in that warm and wonderful retirement community. He was a mail carrier for 38 years and retired at the age of 55, as a top grade Postal Technician (training all the new employees). He used to tell our family he knew every route in Redlands. He started out delivering mail during high school in Redlands, when they delivered mail twice a day! He attended Redlands High School, played trumpet in the band, excelled in track, was an honor student and graduated in 1942. He was given a full ride scholarship to the University of Redlands, but decided to serve his country when World War II broke out. He joined the Army after high school and served his tour of duty mainly in Okinowa, Japan. He was stationed in New York for his training, where he met our mother, Mary Frances Dugan at a USO dance and they fell madly in love. When the war was over they married in New York and moved to Redlands to raise their family. they eventually moved back to Long Island, New York to assist with the care of our mother's family and they lived there until they finally came back to Redlands again in 1958. Our mother has been gone for 13 years, they were married for over 53 years and, now, they are together in heaven. Our father's memory was still intact until his last days and he remembered everyone's address that came to live at Plymouth Village, if they came from Redlands. When we were in high school he knew the address of every boy or girl we dated, which was quite embarrassing to his children at the time. He volunteered as a Boy and Girl Scout leader, loved restoring and showing antique automobiles, helped out family and friends whenever needed, loved animals, worked at least two and sometimes three jobs when his children were in school, ushered at Sacred Heart Church (when it was called that), loved to travel the country, knew volumes about gardening and was the best father and grandfather any child could ever have. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary and a much loved granddaughter, Robynn Kristen Goodell. He leaves behind a very grateful family of 5 children, 6 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 3 loving nieces. His children; David McLaughlin and wife, Diana of Redlands, Joan McLaughlin of Roseville, Laura McLaughlin of Redlands, Jill McLaughlin-White and husband Mitch of Oklahoma City, OK and Ken McLaughlin of Long Beach. His grandchildren; Jennifer Lindstrom and husband Derek, Molly McLaughlin-Coker and husband Scott, Casey Rideout and wife, Jake of Morrow Bay, Scott Rideout of Oakland, Cory Elgin of Redlands, and Caitlin Elgin of San Jose. Great grandchildren; Brady and Hailey Goodell of San Luis Obispo and Lila Brooke Coker. Nieces; Kim Wible, Kelley Weir and Tara McLaughlin. Visitation will be Sat., April 6 from 1 pm-3 pm at Cortner Chapel with private interment pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BARC, pet rescue, 912 New York St., Suite A, Redlands, CA 92374.