McLaughlin, Jr., Paul Francis

Paul Francis McLaughlin, Jr., 93, passed peacefully on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Paul was born in Trenton, NJ, on January 6, 1928, son of the late Paul F. McLaughlin, Sr., and Agnes (Hazen) McLaughlin. Paul left Trenton in January, 1946, to join the US Army. He served in the Army Air Corps as an air traffic controller in Roswell, New Mexico, until his honorable discharge in June, 1947. Soon afterwards, Paul moved to Boston to attend Boston University. While at BU, Paul met the woman who would become his first wife, Barbara; they married in 1949. They had three children together: Laura Donahue of Bend, Oregon; Patricia Harkins of Coventry, CT; and Matthew McLaughlin of West Hartford, CT, all of whom survive him. In addition to his children, Paul is survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his stepson Richard Swanson of Rhode Island, and his stepdaughter Susan Decker of Florida, along with their children. Paul graduated from BU in 1952 with a law degree. He promptly accepted a job with Aetna Life and Casualty, moving several times before retiring as an assistant vice president in 1986. Paul held several other jobs over the next 10 years before retiring for good. After his divorce from Barbara in 1981, Paul met his second wife, Elsie McLaughlin, who survives

him. Paul and Elsie travelled extensively in Europe and the United States, at times enjoying summer homes in Sweden and Rhode Island. In addition to enjoying travel, Paul was an avid reader, mostly history books

and spy novels. In his forties, Paul became a devoted distance runner, completing his first marathon at age 51; he continued to run well into his eighties. A private funeral service was held on Saturday, October 30. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Foodshare, 450 Woodland Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002. Online condolences may be made at www. SheehanHilbornBreen.com