William J. “Bill” McLaughlin of Reading passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at Wingate in Reading. He was 84 years of age.
Born in Everett, Bill was the beloved son of the late William and Massilia (Carli) McLaughlin. Bill was an adoring son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Rose McLaughlin and his four children, James and Diane McLaughlin of Reading, MA; John McLaughlin and Virginia Valentine of Albuquerque, NM; Ann McLaughlin and Stephen Breen of North Reading, MA; and Robert and Pornpen McLaughlin of Reading, MA. He was the beloved grandfather of seven and great grandfather of two. He was the devoted brother Robert M. McLaughlin of Burlington.
A World War II veteran, Bill worked for American Airlines as a radiotelephone-radiotelegraph operator, then Lincoln Laboratories, RCA, and MACom where he progressed from technician to engineer over the years, earning his engineer rating after years of hard work towards this goal.
After Bill’s retirement, his numerous community contributions, many involving his love of photography, earned him the first Cultural Recognition Award from the Reading Cultural Council. Bill was founder and president of the Reading Photographic Society. He was a long-time member and active with the Reading Public Library, and ran the Coffee Hour at the library for 11 years. He was a member of the Reading Art Association and Quannapowit Radio Association. Bill also served with his wife Rose as unofficial photographer for St. Athanasius Parish, which they joined more than 42 years ago.
Funeral from the Joseph Doherty-Barile Family Funeral Home 11 Linden St. READING Friday at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass celebrating William’s life in St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 10am. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Visiting Hours Thursday 3-7pm. Parking is available in the municipal parking lot located behind Atlantic Supermarket on Haven St. Interment Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading. Late US Army Veteran, WW II. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of William may be made to the Reading Public Library 64 Middlesex Ave Reading, MA 01867.