GARDINER – Donald E. McLaughlin was born Dec. 3, 1933. He went to be with his Lord on March 19, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia V. McLaughlin, six children: Valerie McLaughlin, Rebecca Marchese, Mark McLaughlin and his wife Joyce, Dawn McLaughlin, Jonathan McLaughlin and his wife Liza, Heather Ouellette and her husband Mark, 18 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by two sons Kevin A. McLaughlin and Russell E. McLaughlin.

At the time of his death, he was one of the remaining charter members of Calvary Foursquare Church in Gardiner, where he served 73 years as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, member of the church council, bus driver, usher, and he also participated in the building of the original church. He served in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his life he held several occupations such as employee at Gardiner Water District, truck driver for B.F Thompson, owned Jireh Building Contractors, retired from BIW, and owned McLaughlin’s Mobile Home Park.

He was an avid sports fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics, and enjoyed NASCAR. He enjoyed vacationing in Florida, Ireland, Israel, New Hampshire and going on cruises. He loved spending time with his family and friends.

Visiting Hours will be held at Calvary Foursquare Church, 109 Old Brunswick Road, Gardiner, on March 24, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The Celebration of Life will also be held at Calvary Foursquare Church on Saturday, March 25, at 11 a.m. Reception to follow.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Bear Cat After School Program, care of

Milo Rec.

18 Belmont Street,

Milo, Maine 04463.

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