Obituaries

MCLAUGHLIN, Edward Thomas (Tom)

Edward Thomas (Tom) Mclaughlin May 8, 1928 - December 15, 2018

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Tom on Saturday, December 15, 2018 in Kelowna, BC.

Tom was a devoted husband, beloved father, brother, and friend to many. He was born on May 8, 1928 in Grande Prairie, AB. His family moved to Whitehorse in the Yukon when he was a young boy. There he met and married Betty, his wife of 65 years. Although he lived in many places, Tom loved spending the winters in Westbank, BC with his friends. After retiring from CP Air, Tom moved back to Alberta, and went on to be a cattleman, a small business owner, and as he was fond of saying, a peddler selling CDs by Sturgeon Sound, a business he created with his brothers. Tom, with his wife Betty, enjoyed travelling the world and seeing diﬀerent cultures. He enjoyed fishing and especially loved fly fishing in the Queen Charlotte islands with his grandson Tom, son-in-law John, and fishing buddies. He built a cottage on Sturgeon Lake in Alberta where he and Betty lived in the summer months that has become a gathering place for his family for the past 35 years.

Tom was a wise and generous man who was a friend and mentor to many and well loved by a large extended family. He never said an unkind word about anyone. He treated everyone with respect and good humour and was always ready to enjoy a laugh.

Tom is survived by his wife Betty, his daughters Betty (John) and Margaret (Kevin), his son Tom (Darlene), grandsons Tom (Chelsey) and Ian, granddaughters Natalie (Jesse) and Ambre, 9 great-grandchildren, and sisters Irene and Jean (Ted).

Tom was deeply loved and respected by his family and large extended family. We all feel privileged to have had Tom in our lives and to be guided by his example. We will all miss him.

In lieu of flowers, kindly forward donations to the Les McLaughlin Scholarship at The Yukon Foundation at [email protected] (867)393-2454

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.hansonsfuneral.ca/notices/Tom-McLaughlin.

Link: www.hansonsfuneral.ca/notices/Tom-McLaughlin

Condolence Messages

Jan 18, 2019
Tom was one of my best fishing buddies, We fished many rivers in Haida Gwaii .

He was a gentleman and good friend. Fish on Tom.

To Betty and family may the memories of Tom help you through the passage of time. Blessings to each of you.

Mickey and Irene Webster
Jan 13, 2019
I have known Tom since soon after I returned to Vancouver from Saskatoon in 1988. It was probably around 1989 when I joined Tom and Mickey Webster for the first of many fishing trips to the Queen Charlotte Islands as they were known then and now as Haida Gwaii. In fact, I was with Tom, his son-in-law John and grandson Tom Jr. only this past October. Tom was a keen fisherman and kept fishing to the very end at age 90 which is quite remarkable. I always enjoyed his company and he will be sorely missed. I extend my sincere condolences to his wife Betty, his grandson Tom Jr, his son-in-law John and to the rest of his family. May God bless you Tom as you rest in peace.

Neville Gosling
Jan 10, 2019
Betty, I am sorry I have not replied sooner, I could not find the words or feelings or emotions about how Mary Anne and I had about a beautiful gentleman, we have been so blessed to have meet him, you his brothers and so many of your family and friends. He had a name for our second cabin, which he help start, it was called Put in near Perfect, not sure about that spelling, but knowing Tom he would say it is not that important, but for a person in our life he was putinear PERFECT. Mary Anne and me, love you.
Jan 08, 2019
Sorry about the loss of Tom, he was a great man and always welcoming to everyone enjoyed visiting with him. Joe & Cathy Wiancko