In Memory of George Patrick McLaughlin

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I worked for a bank in Sydney Australia during the late 90s, on the overnight shift, meaning I was talking to New York on the phone and reuters. And one of my favourite people to chat to was George. I had the pleasure of meeting George, and George Merkouris, and the rest of the Carr team, in Feb 1999 when we travelled to NYC for the Copper Club conference. It broke my heart to see him and his colleagues taken so violently and prematurely on that day. I will never forget, 10 years down the track it still seems like yesterday. Peace, George, from your Aussie friend.

*** Posted by Michael on 2011-09-12 ***

George, my classmate:

It seems like it was just yesterday that you and Dave were walking through my and Scott's dorm room door in Williams Hall during Indoc week at Wesley, but it was really 26 years ago. Even though we all had keys to our rooms, you were the only guy on campus who never really needed one. Your overpowering, good-hearted personality always opened all the doors for you. Your fantastic way of treating everybody as a friend, and your genuine zest for life, made you the one and only person on the Wesley campus who I can honestly say was friends with everybody!

With every September 11th that goes by, nine of them now, I think of what happened. My memory always goes a little further back to the better times when you were roaming around the Wesley campus, doing what I used to call "making your rounds." I don't even think you would go to sleep at night, unless you knew that you had talked to everyone on campus sometime during the course of that day. All of us who knew you all those years ago are better for knowing you. You will never be forgotten by us!

*** Posted by TED WALTHER on 2010-09-13 ***

Georgie - G-Force - The man, the myth, the legend. I've never known anyone like George Patrick McLaughlin, Jr. George was truly loved by EVERYONE, his boyish charm and unassuming but outgoing nature made him one of a kind. How ironic that someone that was an ambassador for peace and friendship could be taken from his friends and family in such a violent and cowardly act. George saw something good in everyone, and he would go completely out of his way to put his own spotlight on a person that most people hardly noticed or only noticed to ridicule for being different.

George was a true champion for the under-dog, whether it was in a sporting event or everyday life. His eyes and smile had a sparkle equal to the way that Santa Clause is depicted in a holiday story. His memorial and prayer service drew an enormous crowd of people, the likes of which one might expect for a celebrity or some other public figure. The only difference was that Georgie was just a regular guy with an extraordinarily large HEART.

George was one of the few people that could "walk the walk equally as well as he could talk the talk." How does one not feel bitter about the senseless way that such a magnificent person was stolen away from so many people who genuinely love this man like a brother.

So I can hardly imagine how very difficult the last nine years have been for Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin and Georgie's sisters. Seeing people that prior to the memorial service, I had only seen with smiles on their faces, crying in such pain, is an image that I can see in my mind as clearly as if it had happened a few hours ago.

McLaughlin Family, we all still feel your pain but we thank you for raising such an extraordinary young man and then sharing him with the rest of the world was a gift that we can never fully thank you for. I'm not as out-going or as friendly to strangers as George was, but since coming to grips with the reality of his passing I try to pass along at least some sort of self-less and caring act to another person in an attempt to fill some part of the huge void left behind when Georgie-boy left this world. Your spirit will forever be in the hearts of those of us that were lucky enough to know you and to call you friend, brother, son, uncle, etc.

*** Posted by Greg Hart (ZIGGY) on 2010-09-11 ***

Georgie! You are missed today.... and everyday! Your energy and happiness shed light on all you have touched in your life. Your spirit lives on in me. Thank Georgie! PEACE

Chuck

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2010-09-11 ***

Georgie,
It has been 9 years and I still miss you. Your love for life, your smile that would light up a room. Your gift of being able to make a person forget about their troubles, problems and stress. After talking with you for five minutes their troubles seemed insignificant. Your gift of caring and showing everyone around you the beauty of life will always be with me. I miss you running circles around me on the court and your jump shot. The horseshoe games that I could never beat you at while we laughed over talking of sports and boxing, the way you would say "Hey, Cupcake". 

  I try everyday to be as strong as you would be today, but I can't. Even with my heart pounding and my tears falling, I have a small smile thinking of you.

I have felt guilty for not being able to help and save you that day and have prayed and asked myself over the years that I wish I could have traded places with you. Now I know you would be mad for even thinking that, and that is always what made you so special.  I know that you are looking over all of us and I look forward to seeing you again. As always I will toast to you on this day.

*** Posted by pasq. on 2010-09-10 ***

Your smile and sparkling eyes are embedded in my memory forever and you are in my, and many others hearts for a lifetime. We love you and miss you and will never, never forget you. At any age through out your life, you touched so many people. Everyone has their own special memory or story about you and they all make you laugh or smile. That is how you touched everyone.
God Bless you George 9/11/09

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2009-09-11 ***

G,

You and I were boys from day one. I will never forget your great smile and friendship. I miss you my man.
God Bless you

H Henry Wright

*** Posted by Henry Wright on 2009-09-11 ***

Georgie,

It's still hard to understand why you had to leave us so quickly in life. We are all carrying on in our personal journeys, but there is a big void in each of us that was filled by you. You know how much you were loved on this earth, and you gave it back twice as much. Someday we will all be together again, and the good times will last for eternity. Thank you for making us enjoy our time on earth while you were here. How I wouldn't die for a night on a porch somewhere in Ocean City, sitting around to enjoy a laugh and a smile. As always ... PEACE, my brother.

PS: It seems that the consensus would like a "sign" once in a while. How about it?

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2008-10-17 ***

G,

Seven years and thirty-four days. Hard to comprehend in this world today. Miss those timely phone calls, unique questions, spur-of-the-moment ideas, old times in Matawan and OC, but especially miss you. Listen to T-Mac, and stop by and show me a sign also when you get a chance.

Wings

*** Posted by MDH on 2008-10-15 ***

Shine on, Georgie, shine on.

*** Posted by a City girl on 2008-09-11 ***

You don't know how much I miss you, uncle George! <3<3<3

*** Posted by Maggie Grimes on 2008-09-11 ***

George (my brother from another mother, and a good one at that),

As always, this is a hard day for all of us, but I am sure you know we would give anything in the whole wide world to have you at our side sharing the life the you deserved to have. I know you can see us. I feel your presence a lot.... I just wish God would let you come down and visit us sometime. That would be great and would make missing you a lot easier to handle! Say "Hi" to my dad and bro Mike Mac Wein....

Love you, buddy,
T Mac

*** Posted by T Mac on 2008-09-11 ***

I MISS YOU UNCLE GEORGE! GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE

*** Posted by Maggie Grimes on 2008-09-11 ***

God bless and protect you Georgie. Remember the Notre Dame games in the meadowlands -I remember your dad, mom, and you in my daily prayers  -help lead me to salvation- your uncle Jim Dougherty, Big Sur, California

*** Posted by james f doughertyii on 2008-09-11 ***

I was George's college roommate our freshman year. What a guy. We laughed every single day. 9/11 became a very personal loss when I saw George's picture on the news. Absolutely heartbreaking because he was such an inclusive type of guy. A real "knucklehead," and I mean that with all the affection in the world. Every anniversary I say a prayer for his family. I know they must miss him tremendously. I try to take some of George's kindness and thoughtfulness and pass it on to others. Thats what George did, and it's the best type of memorial I can think of. Any one lucky enough to know George knows exactly what I mean.

*** Posted by Dave Foster on 2008-09-11 ***

Georgie,

We miss so much! Grimes is always saying, "Jul, tell me Georgie wouldn't have loved this." You are in our hearts and thoughts every day. I miss your calls in the middle of a hectic day. You could always make me laugh, no matter what. When I think of you covering your mouth with that little laugh of yours, it always makes me smile or cry, one or the other. I'm sure you get a good laugh from your view of OC and all its happenings, but, oh, how we wish you were still here. God bless you, Georgie! XOXOXOXOX

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2008-09-10 ***

I miss you, uncle George.

*** Posted by Markie Grimes on 2008-08-12 ***

I can't believe six years has gone by. I miss you so much. I miss O.C. with you, it's not the same anymore. I pray you are safe and happy up there. I know you are. Looking forward to seeing your family this weekend, but it makes me miss you more.
I love you.
Trish

*** Posted by Trish on 2007-09-12 ***

Happy 6th anniversary in heaven George. we will always miss you and always remember you. Wish we could go play some basketball at Elysian Park right now...

my love to you and your entire family. See you again one day...

*** Posted by Tom Kelleher on 2007-09-11 ***

George, I remember all the joking and the messing around on the phone at work. You always made me smile all those miles away. The day you died was the day I brought my baby girl home from the hospital. I will never forget that day. She has just celebrated her 6th birthday. Has it really been that long? I remember you often and particularly at this time of year. You will always be in my thoughts. Sleep tight. x

*** Posted by Helen (UK) on 2007-09-09 ***

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