The Honorable Kenneth Francis McLaughlin, 92, of Nashua, New Hampshire and Cloghane, Ireland, died peacefully at his home Saturday morning, Aug. 28, 2021, with his loving family at his side.
Kenneth, or “Judge,” as he was called by many, was born on September 3, 1928, the son of the late John W. McLaughlin and Alice G. Martin, both of Nashua, New Hampshire. He married the former Mary Elizabeth Barry in 1953 after meeting and falling in love in the 6th grade at St. Patrick Church Sacred Heart School in Nashua. They raised a family of four children together, sharing 57 years of marriage before her death in 2010. Kenneth was educated at Sacred Heart and Nashua public schools, and graduated Nashua High School with the class of 1946.
At age 15, he became an Eagle Scout as a member of the B’nai Brith Troop 256, headed by Scoutmaster Max F. Silber. He was awarded the status of Distinguished Eagle Scout in 1996.
Throughout high school and college Kenneth worked for McLaughlin Moving and Storage Co., as a driver and helped to manage the family business established by his mother and father in 1936.
As an undergraduate, he attended St. Anselm’s College and the University of New Hampshire. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School in 1950. At twenty-one he became the youngest person in New Hampshire admitted to the practice of Law.
At twenty-nine years old, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Nashua District Court. During his tenure, he served on the Governor’s Commission on Crime and Delinquency. He was a steadfast advocate for young people. His belief in the promise of each individual would be a prominent theme in court and throughout his life. He retired from the judgeship in 1973. He authored a two-volume work of legal analysis, Color Me Justice, exploring for general readers and students alike the positive impact of progressive Supreme Court decisions expanding and protecting the civil rights of individuals implied in the US Constitution.
After Law School, Kenneth began flying lessons at the Nashua Airport and become a licensed Private Pilot. He became Wing Commander of the New Hampshire Civil Air Patrol and flew numerous search and rescue missions, retiring from the CAP as a full Colonel. An avid aviator, in 1961 he founded Nathaniel Hawthorne College in Antrim, NH, realizing a personal dream of offering a liberal arts or business education to students with a flight training curriculum. He served as president until 1981.
In 1973 Kenneth founded the K.M. Ranch, Inc., in Leon, Iowa fulfilling the dream of owning a land and cattle company raising Black Angus cattle. He and his family shared many summers there over the years.
Civic distinctions include former President of the Nashua Bar Association, service as military aide to Governor Walter Peterson and as Chairman of the New Hampshire Partners for the Alliance for Progress, sponsored by President John F. Kennedy. He served as Ambassador for the Alliance from the State of New Hampshire to the State of Ceará, Brazil. In 1963 he was chosen Outstanding Young Man of New Hampshire by the NH Junior Chamber of Commerce. He received the Outstanding Service Award from the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, the International Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Award, and the FAA Master Pilot Award.
He was a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, a generous contributor to the Daniel Webster Council of Scouting, a supporter and lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association, and for several years an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
He has been an integral member of the Nashua Airport community and its development, recognizing its importance as a driver of industry, commerce and recreation to the greater Nashua community.
In 1980, Kenneth and Mary built a family home in Ireland on the Dingle Peninsula enjoying summers with children and grandchildren. He became a naturalized Irish citizen in 2019, sharing dual US-Irish citizenship. He had a passion for music, and loved playing the Bodhran with his musician friends in the local village of Cloghane.
Kenneth will be remembered as a true Renaissance man, a person whose creative vision and zest for life led him to many unique experiences and accomplishments. He fostered a life-long love of aviation, traveling, restoration of vintage cars and aircraft, hunting and sportsmanship, painting, reading, history, and current affairs. He could converse on almost any subject, both sharing his knowledge and asking questions with insatiable curiosity.
He was beloved by his dear friends and family who appreciated his loyalty, wit, and storytelling. He cherished his grandchildren who will remember him for idyllic trips to Ireland, where each learned to drive a stick shift at an early age on the wild and empty beaches; learning to waltz, restoring an old Volkswagen van, making pine bough wreaths, hunting, and time at the ranch.
Kenneth is predeceased by his beloved wife Mary B. McLaughlin and brothers John H. Mclaughlin and Robert M. McLaughlin.
He is survived by Lillye Ramos Spooner, beloved friend, partner, traveling companion, and later caregiver, sharing many years of life together, making his later years rich and meaningful.
He is survived by his four children, Atty. Shane A. McLaughlin and his wife Christine, Diane M. Whittemore and former spouse David, Sara M. McGee and her husband Jack, K. Brian McLaughlin and his wife Linda; grandchildren Mary Kathleen (Katie) Whittemore and her husband Alvaro Reig, Kyle D. Whittemore and his wife Alexis Hahalis, Brendan W. McGee, Jillian G. McGee, Hunter D. McLaughlin and Tanner B. McLaughlin; great grandchildren, Diego Reig-Whittemore, Silvia I. Reig-Whittemore, Dessa Mae Whittemore, sister-in-law Sheila McLaughlin; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
There will be a funeral service at St. Patrick’s Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua, NH on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 at 9:00 am, preceded by calling hours at the church from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. In light of the Covid virus, masks for the unvaccinated are encouraged. Interment will be private, following the service.
Donations in lieu flowers may be made in his memory to Veterans Count, a program of Easter Seals, at vetscount.org; and Home Health and Hospice Care, at hhhc.org. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
