Mr. McLaughlin was born on November 5, 1931 in Orange, where he met his wife, Dolores (Dee) DeRiggi when the two were younger. The couple married in 1955 and were married for 33 years before Dee’s untimely death in 1988. The two moved to Livingston in 1964 where they raised their three children.

He was a member of the Livingston Elks Lodge 1855 for over 50 years where he was an officer. He was honored by receiving the Elk of the Year award three times.

Mr. McLaughlin was drafted into the military in 1950 and served in the Airborne Division of the U.S. Army for two years as a military police officer.

He worked for Western Electric for 14 years before leaving to start his own carpentry business with his brother, Charles: the “McLaughlin Bros.” He was married to Barbara Nisivoccia for ten years before her death.

Mr. McLaughlin is survived by his children: John Jr. (wife, Donna), Roxanne and Toni; his sister, Sally (husband, Bill); and his six grandchildren. He is predeceased by his wife, Dolores McLaughlin; brother, Charles McLaughlin; and mother, Sarah DeMartino.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children: lovetotherescue. org.

Visitation will be held today, Thursday, June 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, June 30, at 10 a.m., with military honors and interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.

In 1925, Mrs. Margaret Morrow of the Women’s Auxiliary of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, founded the first troop of Girl Scouts in Livingston. In 1926, the Livingston Troop of Boy Scouts (today known as Troop 12) was founded with a membership of 46 boys.