Dennis W. McLaughlin

Dennis W. McLaughlin, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham, Massachusetts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 27, 1936, he was the son of Dennis W. and Alice Lorraine (Thornton) McLaughlin. Dennis was raised in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston where he attended the local public schools. 

After his graduation from Jamaica Plain High School with the class of 1956, Dennis was briefly employed as a roofer before following family tradition and joining the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4. Dennis began his career working as a crane operator for various union contractors. In his later years, he transitioned to steward and elevator operator which he enjoyed the most. Dennis was a very proud Union member and had the pleasure of working projects such as the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, the Boston Harbor Project (Deer Island), and The Big Dig. He was a strong advocate for organized labor within the construction industry. Dennis even enjoyed being a mentor to many of the young operating engineers. He enjoyed a very long and successful career which continued throughout his well-deserved retirement in 2004.

Dennis was also a proud Bostonian, living in the city for most of his life before moving to the suburbs. He raised his family in Roslindale with his best friend and former wife, Sarah. The pair loved to take their children on family vacations, heading down to Manomet to soak up the rays at White Horse Beach or up to the coast of Maine to their favorite place in Ogunquit. Dennis eventually made his home in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1992. 

Dennis was a caring and loving man who was devoted to his family and friends. He was incredibly close with his sisters and his brothers which were his best friends. Dennis always looked forward to breakfast every Sunday morning with his brothers John and Ed, a tradition that lasted 60 years. He was fiercely protective of his children and proud of them too. He and Sarah remained steadfast friends for their entire lives, even traveling the world together on various cruises after their children had grown. When Dennis became a grandfather, he was overjoyed, lighting up when he saw them and happily embracing his grandfatherly nickname of "Boom" and "Boomie". Dennis cherished his friends and coworkers from the Local 4. One work friend, Maureen, became his longtime companion, spending countless hours together along with her dog Zuni that Dennis adored. Dennis loved any excuse to spend time with his loved ones, looking forward to every holiday, cookout, and first day of school.

In his free time, Dennis enjoyed traveling. He loved to take cruises, visiting all the Caribbean Islands and enjoying the adventure with his companions. Dennis loved to take his grandchildren to see the local sights, and even took them on a vacation to Cooperstown, New York to see the Baseball Hall of Fame. Like any true Bostonian, he loved our New England sports teams and enjoyed talking politics, keeping up with what was going on locally. Dennis was a food connoisseur, who found boundless joy in fine and casual dining. He savored every morsel and appreciated every bite. Dennis also loved spending time by the water and soaking up the sun, whether it was at the pool or the beach, warm out or freezing cold. Many memories were made at the beach, with Dennis sitting by the water, tuna sandwich in hand. He also loved cars, especially Cadilliac's and Lincoln's. Many afternoons were spent meticulously buffing, waxing, shining, and cleaning his car or yours if he felt it could use a little care.

Loving father of Darlene McLaughlin of Plainville, William D. McLaughlin and his wife Deborah of East Dennis, and Kelly Ann Regan and her husband William of Plainville

Former husband and beloved friend of Sarah Ann (Toomey) McLaughlin of Plainville

Cherished grandfather of Shawn Bernazzani, Kyle Bernazzani, Cameron Bernazzani, and Addison Regan

Longtime companion of Maureen Hughes of Millis

Brother of John McLaughlin and his wife Lorna of Dedham, Edward McLaughlin and his fiancée Donna of Canton, the late Jeanne Carr and her surviving husband Charles of Dennis, the late Alice McLaughlin, and the late William McLaughlin

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Dennis's Life Celebration on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A funeral home service will follow at 2:00 pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dennis's name may be made to the Operating Engineers Local 4 Charitable Foundation at 16 Trotter Drive Medway, MA 02053