Thomas J. McLaughlin

September 3, 1927 - June 18, 2020

FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3PM TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2020 TO OUR LEWES LOCATION. Thomas J. McLaughlin, 92, passed away on June 18, 2020, after a brave battle with cancer, in his home and surrounded by his loving children. A Navy veteran, Tom grew up in South Philadelphia, where he rode horses with his aunt in the Mummers' Parade and cultivated a lifelong fandom for the Philadelphia Phillies. He met his beloved wife, Catherine -- Kate -- after she dropped her books outside a city library on a rainy day, and he stopped to pick them up. It was an act that was quintessential Tom: He built his life around helping others. He and Kate, who passed away in September, would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this April. Together, they raised four children in Southwest Philadelphia and Aldan, Pa. Tom worked for years as a milkman before he became the proprietor of his own milk delivery business, T&K Dairies. But he was devoted, above all, to his family. His enthusiasm and support for his family was unequivocal, unflagging, and usually accompanied by his enormous, distinctive laugh. In retirement with Kate in Milton, Del., he taught his six grandchildren every possible way to stretch out a perfect summer day: Crabbing off piers. Taking lazy bike rides down back roads. Watching fireworks from the deck of the Cape May ferry. Eating ice cream by the tub, with the biggest spoon in the drawer. He loved living near the beach, and all the beauty that Milton, Lewes, and Rehoboth had to offer. He was active at St. Jude's Church, where he participated in the adoration of the Eucharist with Kate every week. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kate; and his sister, Dolores McMullen. He is survived by his children: Thomas McLaughlin (Gail), Christine Clover (Ray), Valerie McLaughlin, and Kathleen Whelan (Mark); his grandchildren: John Heisler (Natalie), Katherine Heisler (Sean Martelli), Christine Heisler, Aubrey Whelan, Ian Whelan, and Elizabeth Whelan; and his great-grandson, Ethan Heisler. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 3:00 PM, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where friends may call beginning at 2:00 PM. Burial will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 11:00 AM, at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 S. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA. Social distancing protocol will be observed and masks are mandatory for all attending services. Donations may be made in Tom's memory to the American Cancer Society, 92 Reads Way, #205, New Castle, DE 19720, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please sign the online guestbook located on the tribute page.