MCLAUGHLIN, JOHN DOUGLAS - The passing of John Douglas McLaughlin, occurred on December 4, 2007. Teacher, Principal, Father, Husband of Gertrude (Ryan) McLaughlin, Grandfather. Born February 24, 1928, Bath, County of Carleton, Province of New Brunswick. He was the son of Frederick and Otillia "Tillie" McLaughlin "nee Olsen", and was of Irish and Norwegian descent. He attended school in Bath, New Brunswick, where he met Gertrude Theresa Ryan, the love of his life. He attended the Provincial Normal School in 1947 and commenced his teaching career in York County, as a teacher and Principal at the ripe old age of 18 years in Parkers Ridge. He then relocated to his second home the Burtts Corner / Keswick Valley region, where he taught and was Principal for the majority of his career. His love of teaching and learning was evident from the effort he put into his classes, his devotion to his students and their success, and his involvement in his school's extracurricular activities, especially as a hockey coach. He also established the Lighthouse School, a school for the developmentally delayed, in Burtt's Corner, ensuring that all students received the educational support they required. With the support of two of his Vice - Principals, Ewart Phillips and David Inch, funds were raised that were used in the construction of a permanent rink in the Burtt's Corner area. He married Gertrude Ryan on December 27, 1950, and moved to Burtt's Corner. A family soon followed with Gloria Ellen (Jean Becq) in 1951, Patrick Douglas (Cecilia Torres) in 1952, and Michael John (Gale Hughson) in 1954. His education included two degrees at the University of New Brunswick (BA '57, B.Ed '63), and graduate studies at the University of Maine at Orono (M.Ed.'70). His studies resulted in a Beaverbrook Overseas Scholarship from 1963 and 1964 which allowed the family to relocate to London, England, while he studied at the University of London, King's College. During this sabbatical he took his family on a lengthy, multi-country camping tour in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal, and led to his lifelong love of Portugal. During his time away he developed lifelong friendships with his fellow Beaverbrook Scholars including Rod Nolan (Dorina), Dow Dorcas (Margie), Rufus Reid (Audrey), Mary-Lou O'Brien, and Doug Morehouse (also former a student), amongst the many others whom he met during that wonderful experience. Upon their return, Doug and Gert failed to declare one of their imports, Timothy Andrew (Natasha Rickards) who was born in 1965. The family continued to live and enjoy their time in Burtt's Corner, when in 1970 Doug and Gert bought property in Douglas, New Brunswick. The house that was on the property burnt down on Halloween night, which resulted in the construction of a home where he resided until his death. The views of the Grand Pass from the house, where he fished salmon with his friend Lester Sloat (Shirley), and of the Saint John River never failed to delight him. His gardens, both flower and vegetable, were his passion every summer until the last, even with the physical infirmities that prevented him from working those gardens as he had in the past. He and his family attended St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Parish, where he was a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Bernard McMahon Council, and a member of the Fourth Degree. He was, like his father, and grandfather, a dedicated member of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick, and the Liberal Party of Canada. He retired from teaching in 1983, but at this time other interest's began to develop, and those were his grandchildren Caroline and Claire (Gloria), Conal, Ian and Meaghan (Patrick), Adam, Kendall, Lauren, Lise-Anne, and Keleigh (Michael), and Tillie-Anne, and Bridget (Timothy). His children and grandchildren were his constant devotion, and hugs, jokes and silly games were his calling card. Even as his illness took away his ability to do some things, he could always hold his children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Carl, Percy, Charles Edward, Frederick and Stanley and his sister Mary. Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 2 pm from St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, 1 William Street, Fredericton with Father John Jennings officiating. Interment will take place in Johnville Cemetery, Johnville, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances made to the Parkinson's Society, Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com