Edward John McLaughlin died suddenly of a stroke on December 11, 2020, at the young age of 72 years. His wife Linda and other family members were by his side. Born in Boston on June 19, 1948, he was the only child of the late Edward J. McLaughlin (Canton, MA) and the late Eleanor M. McLaughlin (PEI Canada). Although Eddie lost his Dad when he was only seventeen, Eddie remained in the Canton family home until his own death.
When Eddie was a teenager, Lake Sunapee, NH, became a favorite summer getaway. After Eddie's dad died, Angela and Charles Schiess, whom he knew from Sunapee, embraced Eddie and welcomed him as one of their own. Thus, Eddie found himself with new parents and five siblings. Summers at Blodgett landing were idyllic. Eddie took naturally to water-skiing and could “barefoot” with ease. He became a proficient boater and enjoyed lake life in the summer. During the winter he skied. They remained a loving and closely knit family throughout Eddie’s life. Sadly, Charles and Angela Schiess pre-deceased him.
Eddie graduated from Canton High School in 1967. Though slight in physique, he was athletic and had been a player on Canton High School’s varsity football team. He was popular and lived life on the wild side. He was a prankster: A life-sized cow on the roof of the high school? A painted lighthouse? He then went on to Ohio State University, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After college Eddie returned to live in Canton, MA and used his new entrepreneurial skills to found Anodyne Medical, and years later, Credit Consultants. Both companies flourished as he loved to work. He was kind and generous. If a friend needed a hand on a project, Eddie threw himself into the work energetically and stayed with it until the job was done.
As a young man, Eddie lived life to the fullest. He drove sports cars, went skydiving and earned his pilot's license to fly. Eddie lovingly welcomed his son in 1992 and put his heart into being a good Dad. Although he remained a confirmed bachelor, in 2000, he met the love of his life, Linda Page. He and Linda put their energies into enjoying life, remodeling the house, expanding the back yard and spending their spare time with family. Fifteen years later, Eddie said "why not?" and they got married on the dock at Blodgett Landing, Lake Sunapee. Never say never.
Eddie was dearly loved and is survived by his wife Linda. He will be deeply missed by his son Joshua Cody Laventis and his fiancé Ariel, his daughter Debbie Reilly, his daughter Tara Brady and her husband Keith, and all his Schiess siblings—Judy, Gary, Nancy, Peter and Kai. He will always be remembered fondly as 'Grandpa' to Thomas and Michael Reilly, Aiden, Sienna and Autumn Brady.
Eddie was a grand storyteller, and wherever he was, the rafters rang with his easy and joyous laughter. A few stories were told many times, but no-one minded as he loved telling them.
Eddie leaves behind many friends, who were lucky to know him, and were stunned at his passing. Eddie was the one who was always there. Now suddenly he is not—and we must get used to a world without him. Funeral services were private.