John M."Jack" McLaughlin, Jr. of Wilmington, formerly of Melrose, died suddenly on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at the Parkland Medical Center in Derry, New Hampshire. He was only 56 years old. Born in Charlestown, MA on January 6, 1952 to Martha J. (Wehler) McLaughlin & the late John M. McLaughlin, Sr., he was raised in Melrose and a 1971 graduate of Melrose High School. He was a Melrose resident for many years, past president and past treasurer of the Melrose Fish & Game Club and a member of the Mt. Hood Golf Club. Mr. McLaughlin worked as a foreman with Paving, Inc. of Middleton for 30 years and played a major role in its success; never missing a day of work. Jack was a simple man and enjoyed simple things. The important things in his life were his wife Sharon, his family and football. He loved the Patriots and enjoyed watching them on his big screen television. He was the loving husband of Sharon Ann (Sullivan) McLaughlin. Devoted son of Martha J. & the late John M. McLaughlin, Sr. of Melrose. Caring brother of Tim M. McLaughlin & his friend Michael Parrilo of Melrose, Dee McLaughlin & her partner Christine Haynes of Hillsboro, NH & Valarie A. Martinson & her husband Tim of Melrose. Cherished uncle of Derek Markert & his wife Shannon of Melrose, Gianna Markert & Laci Dee Martinson, both of Melrose, Matthew Barker of Litchfield, NH & the late Joshua Michael Martinson. Great Uncle of Lindsay, Erin, Matthew & Sean McCool of Amherst, NH, Aidan McCool of Fishersville, Virginia & Maddy & Drew Gillespie of Methuen. Brother-in-law of Mary Ellen McCool of Derry, NH, Lorna Dynan & her husband Joseph of Melrose, Daniel J. Sullivan of Stoneham & his companion Maureen Graziano of Somerville & Richard J. Sullivan & his wife Kathy of Concord, MA. Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles & cousins. A celebration of Jack's life will be held in the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tues. Oct. 7th at 10AM. Family & friends respectfully invited to attend. Deacon Frank Valeri of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church of Wakefield will officiate. Visiting hours Mon. from 4-8PM. Interment is private. Arrangements by The Gately Funeral Home of Melrose. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory may be made to Toys for Tots P.O. Box 391 South Weymouth, MA 02190 or Wilmington Food Pantry, c/o Wilmington Community Fund, P.O. Box 147 Wilmington 01887. For directions or to sign Jack's guest book, please visit www.gatelyfh.com