Richard McLaughlin
Richard L. McLaughlin (Mac) of Schaghticoke, passed away March 28, 2025 at home. Born in Sommerville, Massachusetts on April 29, 1933 he was the only child of James and Doris (Lewis) McLaughlin, who both passed away two months after his birth. Responsibility for his upbringing was readily accepted by his then twenty-one year old uncle, Frank Lewis, and soon after shared by Frank’s wife, Janet (Colarusso) Lewis. While raising him with all the care and love of natural parents, the Lewis’ moved with young Richard to Valley Falls, New York, where he grew up, and where Janet’s brothers, Albert, Angelo, Carmen, and John all chipped in to provide strong mentoring at their family farm. Affectionately known as Porky, despite his slim build, he attended Hoosic Valley Central School, and graduated in 1951 as valedictorian of his class.
Shortly after graduation, he and his friend William (Butch) O’Conner enlisted in the United States Navy. Following boot camp, he spent the next year attending electronics and communications school in California. Upon completion of his schooling and a multi generational clearance, he was assigned to a 21 man naval communications station in the Panama canal zone, where he spent the next 32 months of his enlistment, and was responsible for all maintenance and repair of telecom equipment. While stationed there, he met and married his beloved wife of 55 years, Lucilla Sanchez, and together raised four children, Diana, James, Patrick, and Kevin. Mac was honorably discharged in August of 1955, and thereafter remained extremely proud of his service to his country.
Upon returning to the United States, he briefly worked with Wiley Bros. (then in Valley Falls) before being employed by the New York Telephone Company as a lineman. Over the years, he worked at various crafts within the company, and was an active union member, serving as shop steward, area representative and vice president with CWA Local 1116 in Troy. It was there that he was promoted to service foreman, supervising the installation of commercial business systems. In 1979, he was transferred to Saratoga Springs with the same responsibilities, including the Saratoga race track. After the Bell System was broken up by the federal government, Mr. Mclaughlin joined American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) as a premise service consultant. Upon retiring from AT&T in 1985, he and two colleagues, Dick Flanagan and Bill Cassidy formed CFM Consulting, Inc., where he served as president until 1993. The firm served as consultants representing AT&T for New York State’s communications network known as CAPNET. While working on this project he and Bill Cassidy were featured in a national communications publication highlighting the CAPNET project. In 1988, AT&T asked if they would provide their consultation services in international markets, and thus Mac had the opportunity to work in London, England and Malmo, Sweden. After his partners retired in 1993, he started another business known as R&M Consulting, specializing in wiring networks for voice and data applications. He continued this venture until retiring in 1999, with nearly 47 years in telecommunications. On more than one occasion since then, his children have been told by others, ” your father was the best guy I ever worked with.”
In addition to his career in the telecommunications industry, Mr. McLaughlin also served as an electrician for the Schaghticoke fair for 30 years. In his later years, he also served as a fair director, and was always a constant
presence at fair meetings.
Above all, he was a wonderful father and provider, right up to the time of his death. Always outspoken, but always compassionate, he was always willing to lend a hand up to whomever needed it.
His hobbies included listening to good music, as he was an accomplished trumpet player and was once referred to as the Harry James of Hoosic Valley by high school instructor Doc Edwards. In addition, he had a beautiful singing voice, that, unfortunately, he only displayed around loved ones. He was also a member of Miller’s Teenage Band, and was also instructed by Harold McLaughlin (no relation), who was the bandmaster of the 105th infantry in World War 1. It was often said that his trumpet got him more free drinks in the Navy than he ever paid for. He loved attending the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and traveling to Maine and New York City with his friend and companion, Nancy Haswell. He was very proud of his Irish heritage, loved reading, and of course was well known for his vegetable garden. Once almost the size of a football field, each and every year, Mr. McLaughlin’s garden produced delicious organic vegetables that he eagerly shared with all he loved.
Survivors include his sons, James (Mary Lisa) McLaughlin of Lakewood, NJ, Patrick (Kelly) McLaughlin of Johnsonville, and Kevin McLaughlin of Pittstown. Niece Raquel Lewan of Bayonne, NJ and her son Jeremy of Scranton, PA, Grandchildren Carrie Thornton, Samantha McLaughlin, Christopher McLaughlin, Alexandra McLaughlin, Patrick McLaughlin, Jr., and Kristin (Dannie Girl) McLaughlin. Great grandchildren, Melissa, Taylor, Brianna, Sorin and Roman. Beloved companion Nancy Haswell, beloved friends Joyce Cassidy, Fran Albright and Frand Manderville, and beloved neighbors Eddie and Kara Batchelder, Don and Cheri Foster, Jim and Doreen Jensen, and Nick Cuttleback and wife Danielle Ontkush.
Mr. McLaughlin was predeceased by his wife Lucilla McLaughlin and daughter Diana Mayo.
Calling hours will be from 3-6:00pm on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 173 Main Street, Schaghticoke. A funeral service will be held at 6:00pm in the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery at a later date.
Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com.