McLaughlin, Edward J.

Edward John McLaughlin died suddenly of a stroke on December 11, 2020, at the young age of 72 years. His wife, Linda, and other family members were by his side. Born in Boston on June 19, 1948, he was the only child of the late Edward J. McLaughlin (Canton) and the late Eleanor M. McLaughlin (PEI, Canada). Although he lost his Dad when he was only 17, Eddie remained in the Canton family home until his own death.

When Eddie was a teenager, Lake Sunapee, NH, became a favorite summer getaway. After Eddie’s dad died, Angela and Charles Schiess, whom he knew from Sunapee, embraced Eddie and welcomed him as one of their own. Thus, Eddie found himself with new parents and five siblings. Summers at Blodgett landing were idyllic. Eddie took naturally to water-skiing and could “barefoot” with ease. He became a proficient boater and enjoyed lake life in the summer. During the winter he skied. They remained a loving and close-knit family throughout Eddie’s life. Sadly, Charles and Angela Schiess pre-deceased him.

Eddie graduated from Canton High School in 1967. Though slight in physique, he was athletic and had been a player on Canton High School’s varsity football team. He was popular and lived life on the wild side. He was a prankster: A life-sized cow on the roof of the high school? A painted lighthouse? He then went on to Ohio State University, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, and was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After college Eddie returned to live in Canton and used his new entrepreneurial skills to found Anodyne Medical, and years later, Credit Consultants. Both companies flourished as he loved to work. He was kind and generous. If a friend needed a hand on a project, Eddie threw himself into the work energetically and stayed with it until the job was done.

As a young man, Eddie lived life to the fullest. He drove sports cars, went skydiving, and earned his pilot’s license to fly. Eddie lovingly welcomed his son in 1992 and put his heart into being a good Dad. Although he remained a confirmed bachelor, in 2000, he met the love of his life, Linda Page. He and Linda put their energies into enjoying life, remodeling the house, expanding the backyard and spending their spare time with family. Fifteen years later, Eddie said “why not?” and they got married on the dock at Blodgett Landing, Lake Sunapee. Never say never.

Eddie was dearly loved and is survived by his wife, Linda. He will be deeply missed by his son Joshua Cody Laventis and his fiancée, Ariel, his daughter Debbie Reilly, his daughter Tara Brady and her husband, Keith, and all of his Schiess siblings — Judy, Gary, Nancy, Peter and Kai. He will always be remembered fondly as ‘Grandpa’ to Thomas and Michael Reilly, Aiden, Sienna and Autumn Brady.

Eddie was a grand storyteller, and wherever he was, the rafters rang with his easy and joyous laughter. A few stories were told many times, but no one minded as he loved telling them.

Eddie leaves behind many friends who were lucky to know him, and were stunned at his passing. Eddie was the one who was always there. Now suddenly he is not — and we must get used to a world without him. Funeral services were private. To sign guestbook, see dockrayandthomasfuneralhome.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Dec 9 2021. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.