John Joseph McLaughlin

John Joseph McLaughlin, age 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Stoneham, Massachusetts on October 16, 1943, he was the son of the late Dennis W. and Alice Lorraine (Thornton) McLaughlin. John was raised in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, where he graduated from Jamaica Plain High School with the Class of 1960.

A few years after his graduation, John was inducted into the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 4, working as a hoisting engineer. After securing his career with the Union, John briefly made his home in Norwood, Massachusetts, before settling in West Roxbury in 1969. As a young man, John enjoyed staying active, playing tennis with his brother, Eddie, and meeting with friends to play racquetball at Racquet Time in Dedham.

John married his beloved wife, Lorna Belle Driscoll, in August of 1997. John loved taking Lorna on vacations, visiting tropical destinations such as Hawaii, Jamaica, Aruba, and Mexico. Back at home, John and Lorna enjoyed getting dressed up for a nice dinner at a local restaurant or spending the night on the town, checking out the various nightclubs the city had to offer. In 2005, the couple settled into their home in Dedham, and ten years later, John retired from the Local 4.

Throughout his life, John was dedicated to his three children, Kristine, Laura, and John. As a young father, John looked forward to planning family beach vacations, often renting the Presidential Suite at The Dunfey Family's Hyannis Resort or rooms at the Mayflower Hotel on White Horse Beach. He was delighted at the birth of his grandchildren, welcoming them with all the love he gave to his own children. There was nothing that John wouldn't do for his grandchildren and could never say no to them, even letting them sit on his pristine car.

Beloved husband of Lorna Belle (Driscoll) McLaughlin.

Loving father of Kristine O'Leary and her husband Brian of Bellingham, Laura Gene O'Leary and her husband John of West Roxbury, and the late John F. McLaughlin.

Cherished grandfather of Courtney McLaughlin of Boston, Brianna O'Leary of Bellingham, Dylan O'Leary of West Roxbury, and John O'Leary of West Roxbury.

Brother of Edward McLaughlin and his fiancée Donna of Canton, the late Jeanne Carr and her surviving husband Charles of Dennis, the late Dennis McLaughlin, the late Alice McLaughlin, and the late William McLaughlin.

Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend John's Life Celebration on Friday, May 16th, 2025, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A short prayer service will follow at 5:00 pm. Interment will take place privately at Saint Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury.

To those who knew him best, John had a larger than life, strong presence, but had the softest of hearts, especially when it came to pets. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's name may be made to MSPCA at MPSCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 or by visiting https://www.mspca.org/donate-now/