John Henry McLaughlin, 70, of Lowell, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Tewksbury Hospital after a brief illness. Born November 27, 1955 in Lowell, he was a son of the late Raymond H. and the late Sara A. (Rynne) McLaughlin. He was raised and educated in the Lowell area.
John was a huge Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan. He didn’t drive, so he’d take the train from Lowell to Boston and the subway to Fenway. When he could travel. When he couldn’t be there, he’d watch it on TV or listen on the radio. We’d never miss a game.
He also enjoyed old TV shows. One of his favorites was ‘Lost in Space’. He’s been to a few conventions and met the cast. John also liked to read newspapers and keep up on current events.
John would attend many town meetings. In 2004 Mayor Armand Mercier and City Manager John Cox presented John McLaughlin with an official city proclamation folder and pinned a civic medal to his lapel, officially declaring it "John McLaughlin Day" in the City of Lowell.
John is survived by his siblings, James McLaughlin and his wife Karen of North Andover, Susan Watson of Ossipee, NH, Joseph McLaughlin and his wife Joan of Dracut, William McLaughlin of Billerica, Catherine Pollard and her husband Sean of Methuen, Marguerite McLaughlin of Westford and Thomas McLaughlin of Dracut, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Ann McLaughlin and his brother in law Donald Watson. He also leaves behind his caretaker of 24 years David Rizza, and his longtime roommate Stephen Polley.
In lieu of flowers send memorial donations, in John’s name to, Encompass Human Services, 4 OMNI WAY, CHELMSFORD, MA 01824, or directly through their donations website (https://www.incompasshs.org/donate/).