John Francis McLaughlin, a lifelong resident of Laconia, died early Thursday morning at the Lakes Region General Hospital with his family at his bedside after a long illness. He was the son of Regina (Girouard) McLaughlin and Francis (Frank) McLaughlin, and grew up on Sleeper Street in Laconia.
A 1933 graduate of Laconia High School, John went on to study pattern making at the Wentworth Institute in Boston, MA. He returned to Laconia, married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Clow of Lakeport, and went to work at the Laconia Malleable Iron Company on Water Street.
John started work as the only pattern maker in the company and went on to be the foreman of a large department of pattern makers, then on again to his position as Company superintendent, which he occupied while the Brisse family owned Laconia Malleable. When the company was purchased by Crouse Hinds, he became vice president, a position he occupied until his retirement in 1980.
John was active in the community, serving on various school committees, and in the Knights of Columbus. Upon retirement, he joined Charlotte in the antiques business, and they specialized in fine china and art glass from a shop in their home on Elm Street called “The Little Bittersweet Shop.”
John is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 67 years, and by their three daughters, Colleen Phelps (Mrs. Ivan) of Melvin Village, Gina-Beth Hill(Mrs. David) of Danbury, and Linda Tate (Mrs. Michael), recently of Sanbornton. John and Charlotte have seven grandchildren: Donna (Phelps) Hebert, of Hooksett; Jonathan YuPhelps of Somerville; Michael Tate of Manchester, Paula Tate-Moreau of Lee, Amy Tate of Roslindale, MA; Timothy Hill of Berlin; and David Hill of Claremont. They also have seven great grandchildren. John is also survived by a sister, Eileen McLaughlin, of Dewey St. in Laconia.
Calling hours were Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 at the Simoneau & Lambert Funeral Home 139 Church St., Laconia. The funeral Mass followed at 11:00 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lakeport, in which John and Charlotte were married, and where they were active communicants throughout their lives. They have resided at 436 Elm Street in Lakeport for the past sixty years.