Thomas J. McLaughlin, 78, of Avoca, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. He was born in West Side Scranton, January 3, 1942 and was the son of the late William and Adelaide (Gerrity) McLaughlin.
Thomas was a member of Queen of The Apostles Parish Church, Avoca. He was a graduate of West Side High School, Scranton. Upon graduation, Tom joined the US Navy and served during the Cold War Era. He then worked many years for the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Tom also worked for 18 years as a truck driver for Carolina Freightways, Inc. He eventually became President of Teamsters Local 401 in Wilkes-Barre and retired from there as President/Business Agent.
Thomas was a very kind, compassionate, and comical man. After retirement, he decided to volunteer his time and work for Allied Services where he served as a volunteer for 25 years and recently received the Allied Services volunteer of the year award. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Edward McLaughlin and his sister Diane Hawk.
Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Grace Marie (Boone) McLaughlin and his sons Thomas and his wife Shannon, of Sweet Valley, PA and Mark and his companion Karyn Lyn of West Pittston. Also surviving are his grandchildren Ryan, Erin, and Maggie
McLaughlin, Ellen McNeil, Chad and Josh Jacobs and
Lauryn and Jenna Lombardo, and many nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11:00 am at Queen of The Apostles Parish Church, 715 Hawthorne St., Avoca with Fr. Phillip Sladicka officiating. Friends may call for visitation on Saturday morning at the church from 10am until time of the mass. Interment services will be privately held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Avoca with the AMVETS Honor Guard providing military honors. If attending the visitation or the mass, please be mindful that masks and social distancing are mandatory. Please use your discretion.
Arrangements are made by Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea.