Richard McLaughlin 1934-2020

Dick graduated from Ursuline High School in 1952, served two years in the U.S. Army and graduated from Youngstown College in 1958. He attended Georgetown University School of Law in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1962 with his Juris Doctor degree. He received a Master of Labor Law degree in 1964, also from Georgetown.

While in law school, he worked for the Department of Labor. Upon graduation, he joined a D.C. law firm. In 1968, he was appointed General Counsel for Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Dick was a civil rights activist and was proud to tell stories about his involvement in Martin Luther King’s March on Washington. He was front and center for the “I Have a Dream” speech. He and his wife attended John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration, as well as his funeral. Dick remained active in the Democratic party and politics throughout his entire life.

He and his family returned to Youngstown in 1969, where he established himself as a lawyer. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress in both 1970 and 1972.

Dick was very active in his community. He founded the Mahoning Valley Chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation of America in 1970 and served as president for 33 years. He served on the board of the Youngstown Symphony, the Youngstown Playhouse and the Butler Art Museum. He was the membership chairman of the YMCA.

Dick proudly served a nine-year term on the board of trustees at Youngstown State University, and for two years was the chairman of the board. He was also on the YSU Alumni Association Board of Trustees and the YSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

He was a board member of the Assumption Nursing Home; he was also an active member of the Mill Creek Children’s Center, Goodwill Industries and St. Edward Parish Council.

Dick founded Mahoning Valley Cablevision in 1970, which became Time Warner and is now Spectrum cable. He was co-founder of CTNY (Catholic Television Network of Youngstown), where he served as president for seven years.

Upon his retirement in 2016, his law firm, McLaughlin and McNally, merged with Roth-Blair.

In his retired years, he enjoyed writing his memoir, “From The Rearview Mirror,” which was published and distributed to family.

One of the highlights of each month was his get together with his “lunch bunch,” when they discussed current events, focusing on politics. Along with his other interests, he was able to devote time to his love of Impressionism art

In 1960, he married the love of his life, the former Betty McLaughlin, at St. Edward Church, where they were still active members. The couple have four children, Kelly McLaughlin of Cleveland, Richard (Carmen) of Florida, Christopher (Gina) of Liberty and Molly Burdette (Jamie) of Hubbard; 14 grandchildren, Mickey (Jason) Thomas, Tim Gruscinski, Kevin (Sarah) Gruscinski; Nastasia, Killian, Savannah-Jane McLaughlin, France; Sean, Christy, Erin, Patrick McLaughlin; Brendan, Katie, Colin, Brigid Burdette; and two great-grandsons, Bennett James and Jack Richard Burdette.

Dick cherished his summer months at Conneaut Lake, Pa., where he spent countless days teaching dozens of nieces, nephews and friends to water ski and countless evenings appreciating another beautiful sunset with family and friends. Dick loved to travel with family and / or friends. He had wonderful trips that left lasting memories. He and Betty loved having the family over for cookouts, especially Jamie Burdette’s famous ribs and fries. He loved hosting holiday gatherings in the family home, where each guest was made to feel at home.

Dick was a dog-lover and was often seen walking down Fifth Avenue with one of his dogs.

Dick leaves his wife, Betty; his sister, Jeanne McLaughlin Foley; and brother, Jim McLaughlin; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Vincent and Elizabeth (McEvoy) McLaughlin; sisters, Mary Helen (Jack) McMahon, Kay (“Bud”) Heames, Rita (Jim) Ryan, Anne (Frank) Flannery, Sue (Chuck) Johnson and Lenore (Jim) Nagle; and brother, Vincent (Margaret).

There will be a private family mass 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, at St. Edward Church. Please wear a mask if able and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Edward Parish, 240 Tod Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504 or Youngstown State University General Studies Program, Dean’s Office, DeBartolo Hall, One University Plaza, Youngstown OH 44555.

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a-flying. And this same flower that smiles today Tomorrow will be dying” — Robert Herrick

Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the funeral home website www.mccauleyfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the McCauley Funeral Home, serving the Valley for more than 118 years.

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