James J. McLaughlin Jr., 67, health-care executive
He was active in charitable causes and with St. Josephs University alumni.
IT'S INTERESTING how little things can stick in your memory. Like Jim McLaughlin's No. 44.
It was the number he wore when he played wide receiver on the football team of St. Francis of Assisi Parochial School in Springfield, Delaware County, back in the '50s.
"It was a number he always remembered," his family said.
Which might seem curious, because Jim McLaughlin went on to more athletic achievements, success in business and many charitable activities. But, apparently, in his mind he would always be No. 44.
James J. McLaughlin Jr., a health-care marketer, founder of a health-care consulting business, an active alumnus of St. Joseph's University, an Air Force veteran and a devoted family man, died Friday at age 67 after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Mostly, Jim McLaughlin was a big-hearted Irishman.
He was proud of his Irish heritage and often could be heard singing Irish ditties as he went about his business. And he was generous, almost to a fault.
Just before Jim's diagnosis in November, he traveled to Ireland with American hospital executives to visit Irish medical centers to expand their pediatric services.
Jim was a social worker before he got into health-care marketing. He started his consulting firm, Trinity Health Partners, to provide recruiting and business development to companies and organizations in health care in the U.S. and Ireland.
He was a longtime member of the Irish American Business Chamber and Network, of which he was past president.
"We will all miss his smile, his generosity of spirit, his booming voice, his great sense of humor, his intelligence and his willingness to reach out to help us every day," his family wrote in a tribute.
"He was sentimental, a great dancer, a great Dad and a wonderful brother, uncle and cousin. He was our go-to guy. He was loyal. He was Irish. He was one of a kind. And we're heartbroken that he's gone, but we have beautiful, funny memories of him to hold with us."
Jim was born in Philadelphia, the third of the seven children of Frances and James McLaughlin Sr. The family moved to Springfield, Delaware County, in 1957.
After St. Francis of Assisi Parochial School, he attended Monsignor Bonner High School, now Bonner Prendergast High, graduating in 1966. He ran track, was on the cheerleading squad and was class president.
He attended St. Joseph's College, now St. Joseph's University, on an Air Force ROTC Scholarship. He majored in political science and graduated in 1970. He was class president during his first two years in college.
Upon his graduation from St. Joe's, he married Celeste DeSimone. He went on active duty with the Air Force as a second lieutenant, stationed at McChord Field, an air force base near Tacoma, Wash.
After the Air Force, Jim remained in Washington state, earning a master's degree in social work from Pacific Lutheran University, in Tacoma. He did social work in Washington state for 10 years before moving back to Philadelphia.
Jim had numerous interests. He loved camping and was a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. He enjoyed visiting Sea Isle City, N.J.
Through the years, Jim was active with the St. Joe's Alumni Association, serving on the National Alumni Board and as a member of the Hawk Hoop Club and as co-chairman of the Class of '70 group.
Jim recently received the Hogan Award, an annual honor presented by St. Joe's to recognize outstanding loyalty and service to the university.
He was active in fundraising for the Team in Training Dublin Marathon, sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and SJU Global Community Day, which brings St. Joe's alumni together once a year for a day of working for the community.
"He was born to be of service and help people," his family said of Jim. "He lived and breathed that philosophy like no one else we knew."
Jim is survived by a son, Kieran McLaughlin; a daughter, Suzanne McLaughlin; two sisters, Kathy and Mary; three brothers, Thomas, Robert and Jerry McLaughlin; one grandson; and his former wife, Celeste.
Services: Funeral Mass 10 a.m. tomorrow at the St. Joseph's University Chapel on campus. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Ignatius Nursing & Rehab Center, 4401 Haverford Ave., Philadelphia 19104, or the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia, 3300 Henry Ave., Philadelphia 19129.